RSP Elects Six Office Bearers, 99 Central Committee Members

Nepal’s ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has concluded its first general convention by electing a new leadership team and a 99-member central committee.

Party founder Ravi Lamichhane, who had earlier been elected unopposed as President, was formally declared elected at the convention’s closing ceremony in Chitwan.

Delegates also elected Vice Presidents Swarnim Wagle and Sobita Gautam, General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya and Deputy General Secretaries Ashim Shah, Hari Dhakal and Nisha Dangi.

The convention elected a 99-member central committee in which women account for 49 of the seats.

Thirty-five members were elected through provincial representation, with five representatives from each of Nepal’s seven provinces, while another 35 were chosen through open competition.

The remaining seats were filled under inclusive quotas representing women and historically underrepresented communities, including Indigenous groups, Madhesis, Dalits, Muslims and Tharus.

Likewise, Prime minister Balendra Shah was elected as the party’s senior leader.

Most RSP ministers serving in Nepal’s coalition government also secured seats on the party’s new central committee.

Voting for the party’s office bearers drew 1,361 ballots, compared with 2,959 votes cast in the earlier election for central committee members.

Founded in 2022, the RSP quickly emerged as a major political force by campaigning on governance reform and anti-corruption.

The completion of its first general convention is expected to strengthen the party’s internal organisation as it seeks to expand its role in Nepal’s national politics.