RPP removes Sagun Lawati as Spokesperson

KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has removed Sagun Sundar Lawati from his position as party spokesperson.

RPP Chairperson Rajendra Lingden informed Lawati of the decision through an official letter on Wednesday. It was Lingden himself who appointed Lawati as the spokesperson.

Lingden has also appointed Senior Vice Chairperson Roshan Karki as the Chief of the party’s Central Disciplinary Committee.

The move comes amid an ongoing internal power struggle within the RPP, which has split into two factions. While one faction is led by Lingden himself, the other is aligned with Bikram Pandey, Dhawal Shumsher Rana, and Rabindra Mishra.

Lingden earlier stripped leaders from the opposing camp of their responsibilities. For instance, Dhawal Shumsher Rana was removed from his role as the chief of the party’s Organisation Department while he was in India for medical treatment.

Lawati, the son of former RPP leader Padma Sundar Lawati, is considered a close ally of Dhawal. He had also participated in a pro-monarchy movement led by Navaraj Subedi, which was supported by the dissident faction but not recognized by Lingden.

Party sources say the rivalry is intensifying ahead of the party’s general convention, which will elect the new leadership. Lingden is expected to run for the position again, while Dhawal and Bikram are both seen as potential challengers from the other camp.