RSP’s Statute Makes Rabi Lamichhane the Party’s Undisputed Power Centre: Everything You Need to Know
Summary
The Rastriya Swatantra Party amended its statute at the 2026 convention to expand leadership and centralize power with chairman Rabi Lamichhane, impacting Nepal's government stability and governance.
Key Points
- The RSP amended its founding statute at its 2026 general convention in Chitwan, expanding the Central Committee to 158 members and introducing a chairman-nominated bloc of 51 seats.
- The statute centralizes power in the party chairman, currently Rabi Lamichhane, granting him broad executive authority including binding directives and candidate nominations.
- The parliamentary party leader, currently Prime Minister Balendra Shah, must comply with the party chairman's policy direction to retain their role, linking party and government leadership tightly.
- The statute outlines the party's organizational structure, ideology focused on social democracy, anti-corruption, and a legally binding 'electoral covenant' replacing manifestos.
