RSP to hold first convention as statute changes take focus
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) will hold its first national convention in Chitwan from Sunday marking a key moment in the party’s transition from a fast-rising political movement into a structured political organisation.
The three-day gathering comes as the party moves to formalise changes to its statute with discussions centred on expanding its leadership structure, adjusting internal representation and accommodating members who joined through recent mergers and political realignments.
Party leaders say the existing framework no longer reflects the party’s expanded base. Proposed revisions include increasing the number of office-bearers and central committee members along with granting the party chair greater authority to nominate key positions.
The convention is expected to draw thousands of delegates and will include debates on how power is distributed within the organisation as it grows into a more complex political structure.
However, the convention is also being closely watched for its political signalling beyond organisational reforms particularly amid speculation of widening differences between party chair Rabi Lamichhane and Prime Minister Balen Shah who holds the position of senior leader within the party.
While both leaders had previously projected unity during Shah’s entry into the party leadership framework, party insiders acknowledge that coordination between the two has not always been seamless in recent months particularly on strategic and organisational decisions.
It remains unclear whether Prime Minister Shah will attend the convention. Shah’s presence is seen as politically significant given his formal role as senior leader but the party has not confirmed his participation as of the eve of the event.
The uncertainty has added an additional layer of attention to the convention which is otherwise focused on structural reforms and internal consolidation.
Alongside institutional changes, the convention is also expected to test how effectively the party can balance competing centres of influence as it expands its leadership base and integrates figures from diverse political backgrounds.
As Nepal’s political landscape continues to shift, the outcomes of the convention are likely to indicate not only how the RSP intends to restructure itself but also how it manages internal cohesion at a critical stage of its growth.
