Internal Struggles and Resignations Threaten RSP’s Electoral Prospects
As the March 5 election draws closer, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is facing a series of internal challenges that could impact its electoral performance. Several provincial-level leaders have recently resigned from the party, citing concerns over financial irregularities, undemocratic practices, and a lack of transparency in candidate selection.
Mamta Sharma, who served as the founding chair of RSP’s Madhesh province committee, has been one of the most vocal critics. She stated that while the party promotes accountability and clean politics, its internal practices do not reflect these values. According to her, the gap between rhetoric and reality has led to a growing number of members leaving the party daily.
Sharma announced her resignation on February 18 through a social media statement, expressing her belief that the party’s principles were not being translated into action. She claimed that key decisions were driven by financial irregularities, which made it impossible for her to remain silent any longer.
Lima Adhikari, the party’s treasurer, has firmly rejected these allegations, calling them baseless. She emphasized that the party has not sought or accepted any financial benefits outside its established rules and procedures. All financial matters, she said, have been handled in accordance with the party’s formal framework.
Criticisms of Undemocratic Practices
Beyond financial concerns, several leaders have also criticized what they describe as undemocratic practices within the party structure. Dinesh Humagain, who recently resigned as vice-chair of RSP’s Bagmati province committee, accused the party of straying from its founding ideals. He pointed out that the party had failed to hold its general convention on time and had not followed a fair and transparent process in selecting election candidates.
Pranaya Shumsher Rana, another leader who left the RSP, accused the leadership of weakening organisational transparency and undermining internal democracy. He argued that the party, which was established under the slogan of initiating order and ending disorder, now appeared to be heading in the opposite direction.
Rana had hoped to contest the March 5 election from Kathmandu-5 on an RSP ticket. He claimed to have paid the required Rs25,000 fee to participate in the internal selection process. However, the party ultimately nominated another candidate without conducting the promised primary. This decision, taken without what he believed to be a fair and transparent process, deepened his dissatisfaction with the party.
Adhikari defended the party’s stance, arguing that collecting primary election fees cannot be considered financial misconduct. She explained that organising primaries involves administrative costs, and the party had therefore required aspiring candidates to contribute a fixed amount. According to her, the framework governing the primaries clearly stated that the fee paid for participation would be non-refundable and that all candidates had agreed to these terms in advance.
Other Resignations and Concerns
Other leaders who have left the RSP include Ashok Kumar Thapa from Nuwakot, who announced his resignation on Facebook on Saturday morning, and Ishwari Bista, the founding municipal chair of the party in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City. Bista hinted at financial influence in candidate selection, stating that there had been no proper recognition or evaluation of contributions within the party.
“With a lack of transparency in decision-making and established procedures not being followed, it no longer feels appropriate to remain in the party,” Bista said in his resignation.
With polling day fast approaching, these resignations and allegations pose fresh challenges for the RSP, which rose to prominence on a platform of reform, transparency, and a break from traditional political culture.
Treasurer Adhikari insists that the departure of a few individuals will not affect the party’s electoral performance, citing strong public support across constituencies. “A few people leaving will not affect the overall outcome,” she told the Post.
However, political analysts are not entirely convinced. Some suggest that resignations by senior or founding figures, particularly so close to an election, can create perceptions of internal instability and potentially influence undecided voters.
Pitambar Bhandari, head of the Central Department of Peace and Conflict at the Tribhuvan University, suggests that the recent entry of Balendra (Balen) Shah, former mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, into the party, could be a factor. According to Bhandari, individuals close to the former mayor were reportedly granted election tickets despite having made no organisational contribution. This, Bhandari argues, left longtime aspirants feeling sidelined and resentful, ultimately prompting some of them to walk away from the party.
Bhandari cautioned that when individuals holding key leadership roles within provincial committees resign just before an election, it would be unrealistic to assume there will be no impact at all. Such departures can raise questions about internal cohesion and morale.
“RSP is not a party built primarily on a traditional grassroots organisational base,” Bhandari said. “It rose to prominence largely on the strength of a social media wave and public sentiment for change. For that reason, while the resignations may create ripples, the overall electoral impact may not be as significant as it would be for a more conventionally structured party.”
Others quitting the party in recent days include Kamala Rawal Pandey from Nuwakot, Jeet Bahadur Harijan and Gupta Sen Thaguna from Nawalparasi, and Pawan Chaudhary from Bara.
