Pokhara, 25 September | The Central Committee meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), held for the first time since the Gen-Z protests on August 23 and 24, has brought to light deep internal divisions and significant debates over the party’s future. The two-day meeting, which spanned 19 hours, focused on four key issues: the controversy surrounding party chairman Rabi Lamichhane’s alleged escape from Nakhkhu Prison, the party’s first general convention, the upcoming snap election on February 21, and the Gen-Z movement.
The most contentious topic was the Nakhkhu Prison incident. Several central committee members, including Ganesh Karki, Manish Jha, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, Shishir Khanal, and Tosima Karki, expressed strong dissatisfaction, claiming that the party’s image was severely damaged when Lamichhane was allegedly taken from the prison on August 24 using falsified documents. Acting Chairman DP Aryal defended the action, stating it was necessary to save the chairman’s life at the request of the prison administration and two heads of security agencies. He claimed that Lamichhane insisted on a formal document for his release, which the prison administration itself then prepared. Aryal admitted to a “weakness” but maintained it was a situational necessity to protect their leader.
Aryal’s explanation failed to convince many leaders. They questioned his role in creating the fraudulent document and a decision was made to form a special task force to investigate the matter. Some leaders even demanded that Aryal be removed from his acting chairman role and placed under investigation. They argued that the Nakhkhu incident, which they see as a consequence of the Gen-Z protests, has put the party in a difficult position. The debate over leadership was further fueled by concerns that the party would decline under the current acting chairman.
Another major point of contention was the timing of the party’s first general convention. With the snap election announced for February 21, leaders were divided on whether to hold the convention before or after the polls. A majority argued for holding the convention in January to properly organize the party and present a united front for the election. However, leaders close to Lamichhane suggested postponing the convention and instead holding an extended meeting to set the election agenda. Unable to reach a consensus, the party decided to hold an extended meeting on October 31 and November 1 to make a final decision.
The question of leadership succession also came to the forefront. A faction within the party is demanding a leadership change if the general convention cannot be held before the election. This call was echoed by provincial chairpersons from Koshi and Madhesh provinces, who believe a new, more dynamic leader is needed to energize the party. Some leaders even proposed making Swarnim Wagle the new party chairman to lead them into the election, a suggestion to which Wagle remained silent.
Lastly, the meeting also reviewed the party’s response to the Gen-Z movement. Leaders criticized the party for failing to address the very issues that the Gen-Z protestors took to the streets for, arguing that the party had become too focused on individual leaders rather than on core issues and nationwide organization. Several members, including Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and Shishir Khanal, insisted that the party must move past the legal issues of its chairman and focus on its original agenda to rebuild momentum and expand its base.
