RSP leadership faces challenge in consensus-based selection of office bearers

CHITWAN: Efforts by the leadership of the Rastriya Swatantra Party to select office bearers through consensus at its first general convention have come under pressure amid a large number of aspirants for key positions.

The party leadership has been attempting to finalise all office bearers unanimously, but the growing number of contenders has made the process increasingly difficult.

According to party sources, more than a dozen leaders have expressed interest in key posts, including three vice-chair positions, two general secretaries, and five deputy general secretary positions.

Among those aspiring for vice-chair are political advisor to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Asim Shah; Infrastructure Minister Sunil Lamsal; vice-chair Dr. Swarnim Wagle; Ganesh Parajuli, Kabindra Burlakoti, Shishir Khanal, and Biraj Bhakta Shrestha.

As per the party statute, RSP will have three vice-chairs, including one woman. One vice-chair will be appointed directly by party chair Rabi Lamichhane.

Sources said efforts are underway to allocate one vice-chair position to Swarnim Wagle through consensus, while another could be selected from either Sunil Lamsal or Asim Shah, depending on internal negotiations.

Several leaders have also shown interest in the women’s vice-chair position, including Lima Adhikari, Law Minister Sobita Gautam, and Land Reform and General Administration Minister Pratibha Rawal.

For the two general secretary positions, Bhupdev Shah from the PM Shah-aligned faction is reportedly close to being finalised for one post. The remaining position is being contested by party spokesperson Manish Jha, Deputy General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya, current General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti, and close aide of Chair Lamichhane, Deepak Bohora.

Similarly, among five deputy general secretary positions, two will be nominated by the party chair, while competition remains strong for the remaining three posts.

Aspirants include Pradeep Chandra Pariyar, Ranju Darshana, Dr. Toshima Karki, Pramod Neupane, Birajbhakta Shrestha, Sasmit Pokharel, and Lakshman Tharu.

Party insiders say balancing competing factions while maintaining consensus has become the biggest challenge for both Lamichhane and Shah ahead of the closed-door session.