Leaders aligned with party chair Ravi Lamichhane and senior leader Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ have reportedly begun factionalism in ongoing district and provincial conventions of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) as it prepares for its upcoming general convention next week.
Goma (Sarin) Tamang, who ran for the provincial chairperson position in Koshi Province, has accused factionalism for her defeat. Tamang, a candidate in Sunsari-1 in the past two RSP elections and former acting provincial chairperson, spoke about the evident “factionalism” between two groups within the party during the convention.
However, Bhuvan KC, the head of the party’s Election Commission, stated that organizing factions under top leaders’ names and competing is prohibited.
Established three years ago, RSP is holding its first general convention starting Sunday in Bharatpur, Chitwan. No contender has challenged founding chair Ravi Lamichhane in this convention.
Following the Gen Z movement in Bhadra and a near two-thirds majority gained in the House of Representatives elections last Falgun, the party has been conducting district and provincial conventions to elect leadership.
Former journalist Ravi Lamichhane established the party. Balen joined only just before the Falgun elections and is a senior leader. He entered RSP on condition of becoming the party’s prime ministerial candidate after being elected mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City as an independent.
Candidates Close to Ravi Lamichhane Win in Most Districts
Photo Source, RSP
Photo Caption, Banners with images of Ravi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah Balen displayed at the RSP convention
According to party leaders, candidates close to Chair Ravi Lamichhane have won in most district and provincial conventions already completed.
There have been observations that, despite being a party leader, Balen has been less visible at meetings and other events.
Although the party chair had promised to support the Rastriya Prajatantra Party candidate during the previous deputy speaker election, it was reported that Balen compelled members to support the candidate from the Labour Culture Party.
Close aides note that Balen has been rarely seen at the party office and central committee and has shown limited interest in the convention as well. Yet, during Koshi Province’s convention, Goma Tamang objected claiming a panel of candidates was formed under Balen’s name and his close associates.
“I had prepared a panel trusting the leadership, but here I saw two factions —one supported by a senior leader and the prime minister, and another rallying under the chairperson’s name. This surprised me,” she said.
Chandrabahadur Rai was elected chairperson of Koshi Province. Tamang also revealed that she publicized a candidate list claimed by party leaders and is preparing to file a complaint within the party.
“Efforts are underway to weaken the organization by selling your names. I call Ravi and Balen brothers; if they are not vigilant, the party will face problems,” she remarked.
However, according to Election Commission chief KC, a code of conduct has been established and strictly enforced to prevent factionalism or panel formation on the basis of leaders’ names.
“There are no factions in our party. We have limited campaigning by applying the code of conduct. Even without factions, new members have won elections, and some aspirants are visible because many want to find their place,” he explained.
Leaders say candidates close to Home Minister Sudhan Gurung in Gorkha and MP Sushant Baidik in Pyuthan have been defeated in the conventions.
Suspension of Madhesh Province Convention Mainly Due to ‘Group From Adjustments’
Photo Source, RSP
It is reported that Balen helped secure election tickets for candidates who joined the party alongside him during the Falgun elections.
Before Balen, the party had also incorporated the Bibeksheel Sajha Party, which emerged from social and political activism.
According to leaders, though some leaders close to Balen were elected in a few districts and provinces, most districts elected leaders from groups formed through party accommodations, rather than those with Bibeksheel Sajha backgrounds or close to Balen.
Despite Balen’s considerable influence among voters in Madhesh, one anonymous leader said his impact on the party organization there is limited.
It is also noted that Amresh Kumar Singh, who joined the party just prior to elections, holds some influence in that province.
RSP, preparing for its general convention, has decided to conduct Madhesh Province’s convention and seven of its eight district conventions after the general convention, as confirmed by Election Commission chief KC.
Several district conventions originally scheduled before were postponed in Madhesh Province.
KC stated, “The accommodation process has not finalized there, leading to misunderstandings. We postponed them intending to resolve the matter properly.”
“Independent politicians and members from other parties also want proper representation in the party. Some procedural weaknesses caused the dispute. The central committee should have addressed this.”
Despite Delays in Conventions, Balen-Aligned Leaders Likely to Secure Central Party Posts
Photo Source, RSP
RSP has tasked a committee led by General Secretary Bhupdev Shah to submit a list of leaders entering through accommodation for inclusion in the general convention by Jestha 10.
Shah, previously the chief personal secretary to Balen in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, became RSP’s general secretary after the accommodation.
Election Commission chief KC confirmed that groups from the accommodation process have also been assured a place in local conventions.
“Our election will be held in two phases. The first phase will elect the chair and central committee members, and in the second phase only central members can contest for office-bearer posts,” he explained.
He asserted that this process will further guarantee that leaders from accommodations can also reach party leadership.
RSP leader Milan Limbu stated that committed leaders will face no discrimination based on faction during the general convention.
“Members and workers are positive about bringing new leaders into leadership. Based on this, there will be no obstruction in the election,” he said.
Discussions indicate that leaders integrated into the party alongside Balen will be appointed as office-bearers after the chairperson. Among this group, Bhupdev Shah has attained the highest position.
However, leaders from the Bibeksheel Sajha Party consider the upcoming general convention a challenge to their party’s existence.
Voting From Abroad and Use of Electronic Voting Machines
RSP has announced that conventions in 64 districts have been completed.
Except for Madhesh Province and Sindhupalchok, no conventions have been suspended. Remaining areas are mainly in the Himalayan region with sparse party organization, KC said.
The party’s Election Commission also revealed that electronic voting machines will be used during this general convention.
“We will use the RSP app to enable voting by members residing abroad, including friends,” he added. “It will allow members outside of Nepal to participate in the voting process.”
KC estimated that around 170 to 200 expatriate members will vote through the app in coordination with the party’s overseas organization.