General Convention an opportunity to institutionalize RSP

CHITWAN, June 19: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is all set to kick off its first general convention in Chitwan from Sunday, June 21, which will last till June 23.

Pradeep Sah, district chair of the RSP in Rautahat, says the party's first general convention is a historic opportunity to institutionalize the organization.

"The convention date was set two or three times before, and even the national gathering decided three times to hold it. But due to various political and technical reasons, it could not take place," Sah said.

"In particular, political vendettas against party president Ravi Lamichhane by other parties and the then government also prevented the convention from happening. The situation has now changed. The convention is finally taking place, and it should be viewed as an opportunity to strengthen and institutionalize the party."

According to Sah, all preparations have been completed, and the convention will go ahead this time. The party plans to complete all necessary procedures within the deadline set by the Election Commission.

"There is a legal requirement to complete the convention and submit the required details to the Election Commission by August 4. Therefore, this convention will be successful," he said.

Sah said the party has reached the national convention after strengthening its organizations at ward, municipal, and district levels. He acknowledged that conventions could not be held in some districts because of disputes and management challenges, despite the party's goal of completing conventions in at least 30 percent of local structures before the national gathering.

He believes the convention is important because it will determine the party's future policies and leadership.

"RSP has capable founding leaders, and its appeal among young people is growing. Public trust in young figures such as Balen Shah reflects the demand for a new political culture," he said.

Sah added that the party would become more institutionalized, organized, and effective after the convention.

"We will build a strong organizational structure similar to those of established political parties and bring capable leaders forward. We are confident of forming a strong central committee that includes all sides," he said, expressing confidence that the convention would make the party more democratic and stronger.

General convention representative Janak Bharati also said the party has no factions and that the convention would be conducted through a democratic process.

He dismissed claims that the party is divided into camps loyal to Ravi Lamichhane, Balen Shah, or Ranju Darshana. According to Bharati, such narratives are baseless. He said the party was founded with a promise of sweeping change and that the convention would embrace that spirit. He also believes the convention will energize the party ahead of provincial and local elections.

Another representative, Uday Prasad Sapkota, said the convention would help institutionalize the party, strengthen democracy within it, and ensure long term stability. Surendra Prasad Sapkota said the convention's central demand is that leadership should follow policy, and that a democratic process is necessary to select the central leadership.

Meanwhile, the party has decided to expand its Central Committee to 151 members. A Secretariat meeting held on Thursday at the party's central office decided to amend the party statute to make the expansion.

"The Secretariat has decided to amend the statute," General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti said. "The Central Committee will have 151 members, including provincial presidents as ex officio members."

The current Central Committee has 121 members. The Secretariat has also decided to expand the party's office bearers to 19 positions. The revised structure will include one chairperson, one senior leader, three vice chairs including one woman, two general secretaries, five deputy general secretaries, including one woman, one spokesperson, three deputy spokespersons including one woman, one treasurer, and two deputy treasurers, including one woman.

The amendment will make female representation mandatory in several key positions where it is not currently required.

Burlakoti said the statute amendment is also necessary following party integration efforts. Before the election, RSP merged with Balen Shah's group, and Shah was given seniority immediately after the party chair. The amended statute will formally create the position of senior leader.

The convention, scheduled in Chitwan from June 21 to 23, is expected to bring together between 2,500 and 3,000 delegates. One observer from each district and three from each province will also participate. Madhesh Province has not yet completed its provincial convention, while decisions regarding delegates from districts that have not held conventions are still pending.

Leadership elections during the convention will be conducted electronically. Burlakoti said delegates would be instructed to remain within the election code of conduct, as some aspirants have already begun campaigning aggressively.

Party spokesperson Manish Jha said leaders of other political parties have been invited to attend the historic first convention. Representatives of foreign diplomatic missions will also participate as guests.

The convention is expected to cost around Rs 40 million. The main sources of funding will be registration fees collected from delegates and contributions from party members and supporters. Each delegate has paid a registration fee of Rs 5,000.

Delegates will arrange their own accommodation. The party has formed 18 subcommittees to manage the event. Work is underway at the Guest House Ground in Bharatpur to prepare the venue for the opening session, while the hall of the Chitwan Chamber of Industries has been approved for the closed session.