KATHMANDU: The first general convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), underway in Chitwan for the past four days, has approved six key documents, including political and economic-policy reports, without discussion.
The reports endorsed on Tuesday have sparked debate over the party’s vision for Nepal’s future governance framework. The political report presented by party Chair Rabi Lamichhane and the economic-policy report submitted by Vice-President and Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle challenge several core features of the current constitutional arrangement.
The documents suggest that if the RSP gains significant political influence during a future constitutional amendment process, Nepal’s existing governance structure could undergo substantial changes.
Diverging views on federalism
The convention documents reveal differing views within the RSP on the federal system.
Chairman Lamichhane’s political report calls for restructuring provincial governments, indicating acceptance of the existing three-tier governance model while advocating reforms.
In contrast, Dr. Wagle’s economic-policy report argues that provincial governments—one of the key pillars of federalism—should be abolished during a future constitutional restructuring process. The report contends that provinces have failed to deliver the intended benefits and have instead increased administrative costs.
These differing positions suggest that the party has yet to reach a unified stance on federalism. Nevertheless, the reports indicate that the current federal structure could face significant challenges if the RSP gains greater political leverage.
The economic-policy report also advocates a non-partisan local governance model. While independent candidates have won local elections in various municipalities, Nepal’s local elections remain fundamentally party-based, with candidates contesting under party symbols.
Dr. Wagle argues that replacing the current party-based local election system with a non-partisan framework would constitute an important governance reform.
Support for a directly elected executive
The RSP documents also propose major changes to Nepal’s parliamentary system.
Nepal currently follows a parliamentary model, although the system has faced criticism from various political forces since the promulgation of the Constitution.
Both Lamichhane and Wagle have proposed introducing a directly elected executive through constitutional amendment. Dr. Wagle’s report specifically advocates for a directly elected prime minister, arguing that such a system would provide greater political stability and clearer accountability.
The reports also call for replacing the current mixed electoral system with a fully proportional representation model, a move that would fundamentally reshape Nepal’s electoral framework.
Rejecting the socialist orientation
Another major departure from the current constitutional framework concerns ideology.
The RSP’s political report rejects the socialist orientation enshrined in the Constitution’s preamble and instead endorses social democratic principles.
Lamichhane’s report states that the party does not identify itself with either traditional left-wing or right-wing politics, but seeks to position itself as an alternative force focused on governance reforms and citizen-centric policies.
Meanwhile, Dr. Wagle’s report emphasizes the party’s commitment to a liberal economic model. It argues that a liberal democratic system, combined with market-oriented economic policies, can foster prosperity while maintaining social balance and inclusion.
Taken together, the convention documents indicate that the RSP is seeking not only policy reforms but also a broader rethinking of Nepal’s governance structure, electoral system and ideological direction.
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