Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) held its "Grand Political Integration Declaration Assembly" at its central office in Banasthali on Monday. While the event marked a significant expansion for the party, the absence of two high-profile figures—Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah and former Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Chief Kulman Ghising—has sparked widespread discussions.
The assembly, led by Party President Rabi Lamichhane alongside Vice-Presidents Dol Prasad Aryal and Swarnim Wagle, was primarily organized to welcome former leaders of the Nagarik Unmukti Party and activists from the Tharuhat/Tharuwan movement into the RSP fold.
Kulman and Balen abstain from event
Despite their recent appointments to top leadership roles, both Balen Shah and Kulman Ghising were missing from the stage.
Following a reported unification agreement on December 28 Shah was nominated as the Senior Leader and the party's Projected Prime Ministerial candidate. He was among 26 individuals nominated to the Central Committee on Sunday.
Representing the 'Ujyaalo Nepal Party,' Ghising reached a 7-point agreement with RSP on December 29. He is slated to take over as the Vice-Chairperson, though his formal appointment to the Central Committee is still pending.
Sources indicate that while the nominations have been made public, neither Shah nor Ghising has officially taken the oath of office yet.
"Projected" leadership
Event projects Lamichhane as consolidted leader
The event significantly highlighted the party's new direction. Large banners featured President Rabi Lamichhane flanked by prominent imagery, "projecting" the party's consolidated leadership.
The integration of Tharuhat activists is seen as a strategic move by RSP to expand its influence beyond urban centers into the Terai region. However, the empty seats of the Senior Leader and the proposed Vice-Chairperson remained the primary concern among the attendees.
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