KATHMANDU: Decisive talks are underway among Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, and Ujyalo Nepal Party patron Kulman Ghising on unifying under a single RSP banner.
Gen-Z activist Sudan Gurung is facilitating the negotiations and has reportedly kept the three leaders together at a residence in Kamalpokhari, pressing for a deal before Tuesday morning, as receipts for proportional representation lists have already been taken from the Election Commission.
According to sources close to the talks, Kulman Ghising has demanded second rank in the party hierarchy, immediately after Rabi Lamichhane. That position is currently held by Balen Shah. Balen has indicated willingness to step down to third position, but Lamichhane has not agreed.
If Kulman is given second rank, Balen would move to third, while RSP leaders DP Aryal and Swarnim Wagle would be pushed further down the order, one of the main reasons Rabi Lamichhane is resisting the demand.
Sources say Balen and Sudan Gurung are pressuring Lamichhane to accommodate Kulman, and there are indications that Rabi may still soften his stance at the final moment.
Kulman’s counter-condition
If second rank is not granted within RSP, Kulman has proposed that the unified force proceed under the name Ujyalo Nepal with its own election symbol. He has stated that he does not seek the prime ministership after the election, but insists on securing second rank within the party structure.
A central committee member of Ujyalo Nepal said that Balen has even shown readiness to offer Kulman a one-year term as prime minister if a post-election majority is achieved, but Kulman’s core demand remains party hierarchy, not government leadership.
Dispute over party share
While Balen is willing to give up second rank, he is unwilling to grant Kulman a 25 percent share in the unified party. Balen has proposed a division of 50 percent for RSP, 30 percent for his group, and 20 percent for Kulman’s side.
Kulman, however, has rejected this, arguing that his party has nationwide organization while Balen lacks a formal party structure. Kulman is demanding an equal 25 percent share for both himself and Balen, with the remaining 50 percent for RSP.
Sources close to Sudan Gurung say the proposed middle ground remains: second rank for Kulman, with a 25–25–50 share among Kulman, Balen, and RSP respectively.
Both Kulman and Balen have already prepared separate proportional representation lists and obtained Election Commission receipts. In case of unity, those names would be merged into RSP’s list, which has already selected candidates through an internal voting process.
Gen-Z activists remain hopeful
Leaders from the Gen-Z movement say efforts to forge unity are continuing. Council of Gen-Z leader Uparjung Rai said he remains confident that the three leaders will eventually come together.
“Unity among new political forces is unavoidable. Some degree of compromise is necessary from all sides,” Rai said, adding that flexibility from the country’s fourth-largest political force would help make unity possible.
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