Lamichhane discusses delayed provincial convention with Madhesh lawmakers

KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane on Wednesday held discussions with lawmakers representing Madhesh Province over the delay in conducting the party’s Madhesh Provincial Convention.

During the meeting, the lawmakers informed Lamichhane that the membership distribution process adopted by the party affected district-level conventions in many districts, which ultimately delayed the provincial convention.

According to the lawmakers, a large number of people joined the RSP following the party’s success in the election held on March 5.

They said a large number of people applied for the RSP membership after the party’s success in the parliamentary election. They added that the problem arose after many of these new members started claiming positions at various levels of the party organization. “Many people have received party membership via an online-based onboarding system. They played absolutely no role in helping the party’s official candidates in the parliamentary election,” a lawmaker who participated in the discussion said. “We have suggested that the campaign committees formed during the election should be given organizational responsibilities.”

During the discussion, lawmakers also raised concerns about the role of Madhesh Province Committee President Tapeshwar Yadav. They accused Yadav, who is also a member of the House of Representatives, of encouraging caste-based politics and acting arbitrarily within the party organization.

Yadav, however, did not attend the meeting called by President Lamichhane.

Responding to lawmakers, Lamichhane said leadership at all levels should be selected through consensus. “I will personally visit the districts in Madhesh to facilitate the conventions,” the lawmaker quoted Lamichhane as saying.

The lawmaker also said delegates for the party’s Central General Convention, scheduled to be held in Chitwan from June 21, will be selected from the existing ad hoc committees.

Of the eights districts in Madesh Province, only the Parsa District Committee of the party has completed its convention. Although convention processes were initiated in the remaining districts, disputes led to their suspension before leadership could be elected.