Concerns Over Growing Distance Between RSP Leader Ravi Lamichhane and PM Balendra Shah, Yet Both Leaders Offer Similar Clarifications
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As Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ has been absent from party responsibilities for nearly a month, concerns have been raised about increasing distance in government operations and party leadership between him and the leadership of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Party leaders have been asked to respond regarding these suspicions.
Leaders from RSP assert there is no room for suspicion regarding the relationship between party chairperson Ravi Lamichhane and Prime Minister Shah; however, a political analyst points out that the “mismatch of interests” between the two leaders is clearly visible.
In particular, several RSP MPs have recently questioned the government’s approach towards managing squatters. Despite protests last week from the party and some leaders against the government’s action to halt vehicles at gates, reports surfaced revealing involvement of RSP supporters aligned with the government.
Amid rumors of Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle being excluded from the series of discussions that the Prime Minister was holding with businessmen, news emerged that Wagle had an extended conversation with Chairperson Lamichhane.
However, RSP General Secretary Bipin Acharya, considered close to Lamichhane, claims the meeting between Wagle and Lamichhane was merely a social visit for celebration, not related to discussions on the supposed growing distance with the Prime Minister.
Why the Delay in Appointing Office Bearers?
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Most of the leaders elected to office bearers at RSP’s first general convention held on Asar 12 in Chitwan are said to be close to Chairperson Lamichhane. According to leaders, provisions were made for the chairperson to nominate one senior leader and 11 office bearers to accommodate groups joining the party.
Yet, even three weeks after the convention concluded, there remains no final decision on the 51 central members and office bearers to be nominated by RSP. Previously a senior leader, Prime Minister Balen Shah currently is not a central member or office bearer of the party.
However, General Secretary Acharya assures there is no disagreement regarding nominating Prime Minister Shah as a senior leader.
“There is no uncertainty in this,” Acharya says, informing that responsibility of senior leader will soon be given to Balen.
“The chairperson is taking some time to address the spirit of accommodation, so time is being taken to nominate central members. There is no intention to delay. The central committee meeting will soon finalize the nominations.”
In last month’s party convention, close leaders of Prime Minister Shah failed to become central member candidates.
Leaders reveal that some leaders who were not candidates at the convention are expected to be nominated as central members of the party.
“Many groups excluded by the election process must be included through nomination. The groups led by Balen Shah, Tharuhat, Bibeksheel Sajha, and Ujyalo Nepal should also be accommodated,” says General Secretary Acharya.
According to RSP’s constitution, no one can be an office bearer without first becoming a central member, which requires that the central member list be finalized first.
However, reports indicate that there is no agreement between Lamichhane and Shah over the allocation of central members.
Last week, RSP Chairperson Ravi Lamichhane and Prime Minister Shah reportedly held a long discussion. According to Acharya, party operations were also part of the conversation.
“With the responsibility of governance, the Prime Minister and the chairperson leading the party have certainly discussed all matters related to governance and party affairs. It remains to be seen how deep and detailed these discussions are; they will gradually reveal that,” Acharya adds.
‘Their Interests Do Not Align’
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Columnist and political analyst Dambar Khatibada explains that both Lamichhane, who leads RSP, and Balen who runs the government, listen to their respective groups before making decisions.
“There are 8-9 individuals in the Prime Minister’s team, each pursuing their own interests. Similarly, Ravi’s faction includes separate groups with their own agendas,” Khatibada states.
“These competing interests are likely causing visible fractures in governance,” he adds.
Former Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah resigned to join RSP, which was founded four years ago before the last election held in February.
According to his close leaders, it is primarily due to Balen that the RSP secured a two-thirds majority.
“The misfortune for RSP is that although the votes were gathered in the name of Balen, the maturity to govern is lacking. Chairperson Ravi is facing a moral crisis,” Khatibada explains.
“However, such conflicts and struggles for power have been common in Nepali politics between Congress and Communist parties; these contradictions and contests are considered natural within Nepal’s political landscape.”
Khatibada also points out that while RSP has achieved political success, it is still struggling to institutionalize itself.
“It’s like trying to put too many coins into a worn-out sack; the RSP government is having difficulty maintaining public support,” he says.
No Disagreement Between Ravi and Balen
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RSP leaders claim there are no internal differences as perceived from outside the party.
RSP MP Pukar Bam, who has recently raised questions on some government issues, says these are questions raised for parliamentary balance of power and not indicative of disagreement.
“Party, Parliament, and government are separate institutions. We are working to align them in harmony. Differences in background may cause some variations in understanding, but there is no difference between leadership,” Bam explains.
He also notes that the delay in appointing office bearers and nominating central members is not due to internal disputes. Bam claims he actively facilitated the integration of Lamichhane and Shah’s factions in the past.
Another RSP MP, KP Khanal, says MPs are raising public issues in parliament to draw government attention and that this should not be interpreted otherwise. Considered close to the Prime Minister, Khanal asserts there is no disagreement regarding office bearer appointments.
“Delay is caused by the serious study and discussion needed on various group names during party accommodation,” Khanal clarifies.
General Secretary Acharya states that differences in style between the relatively inexperienced leaders managing the government and party may explain some misalignments.
“Despite good intentions, some expected results might not have been achieved yet. However, coordination between party and government remains sound,” Acharya says.
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