Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leader Buddhi Man Tamang has announced his intention to run for the party chairmanship.
His announcement has caused ripples within the party’s establishment faction, as only Chairperson Rajendra Lingden had expressed his interest in the post so far.
Lingden has been leading the party since 2021.
Tamang said he plans to retire from politics if he becomes party chairperson. “Where else would I do?” Tamang told Himal Press. “I have held all kinds of positions. Now, I will contest for either the party chairmanship or the parliamentary seat from Dhading. I won’t run for any other post.”
Dhawal Shamsher Rana and Bikram Pandey have expressed their interest in contesting for the position from the anti-establishment faction of the party.
Tamang has served the RPP in various roles. He is a member of the House of Representatives under the proportional representation system from the Indigenous Nationalities cluster. He is serving as the deputy leader of the parliamentary party.
In the 2021 General Convention, Tamang was close to Kamal Thapa, who later split the party to form RPP Nepal after suffering defeat to Lingden. Despite this, Lingden nominated Tamang to the position of Vice Chairperson.
While polarization has begun in the party ahead of the general convention, Tamang has remained loyal to the establishment side. “I am not here to split the party. I have said I will stay with the establishment,” he added.
Tamang has been repeatedly elected as an MP and has served as a minister. However, he does not fully understand the ongoing party splits. He remains dissatisfied with both sides and sees the internal struggle as a battle for leadership.
He does not plan to stay in politics for long. “Unlike other leaders, I won’t cling to posts until my last days,” he 78-year-old said. “Unlike other senior leaders who stay active until the end, that won’t be me.”
Former RPP Chairperson and ex-Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand is also living a ‘retirement phase’ politically. Tamang is now on the same path. The country’s political environment and ongoing internal conflicts have made him want to quit politics, Tamang added.
Currently, the RPP is deeply divided. Supporters of the establishment and non-establishment factions are holding separate meetings. Lingden is strengthening his faction, while General Secretary Rana is also preparing his group for the general convention.
Of late, Lingden has been intensifying disciplinary actions against dissenters. He has already taken action against senior leader Navaraj Subedi, youth leader Sagun Sundar Lawati and his longtime ally Mukunda Shyam Giri.
The Rana faction claims that they are being treated unfairly by the party leadership and have approached the Election Commission Nepal twice. According to party insiders, the dispute is moving toward a rupture rather than resolution, as neither side is willing to compromise.
This has left Tamang frustrated. Known for his neutrality since the party’s foundation, Tamang used to play a coordinating role during disputes. He still claims to remain neutral but is now tired of constant conflicts.
“How many disputes can I mediate? I am fed up. I am no longer willing to intervene,” Tamang said.
Most of the RPP’s voter base is above 40 years old. “Communists vote for communists, and democrats vote for Nepali Congress,” Tamang said. “Our votes come from patriots and somewhat conservative people.”
He believes that those over 40 tend to have stronger nationalist sentiments and political loyalty.
