Jun 18, Kathmandu - The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set to ratify its new constitution during its upcoming three-day convention in Chitwan. According to information shared after a secretariat meeting, the party is currently deliberating on the draft amendments to its constitution.

Leaders involved in the drafting process, including Vipin Acharya, Pradeep Chandra Pariyar, and Dr. Chanda Karki, have submitted proposals to the party secretariat. The secretariat is expected to review these proposals and then await approval from the central committee meeting.

While the constitutional amendment draft initially proposed 136 central members, the secretariat is now advocating for 158 members, a proposal that is nearing approval. The new constitution also includes a decision to make the party president an ex officio central member.

President Ravi Lamichhane has proposed the inclusion of a chairperson, which is now being incorporated into the new constitution. The secretariat is also discussing expanding the number of members to 33, although the exact number of additional members to be appointed by the party president remains undecided. Previously, the party's constitution stipulated 129 central members.

The revised constitution plans to have two general secretaries instead of one, a change prompted by Balendra Shah's entry into the party.

According to sources, the upcoming changes include one chairperson, three vice-chairpersons, four deputy secretaries, one spokesperson, three deputy spokespersons, one treasurer, and one assistant treasurer. The new rules mandate at least one woman as vice-chairperson and deputy spokesperson, with provisions for open competition for other positions. The party president will retain the authority to appoint the treasurer and assistant treasurer.

The sequence of elections will begin with the central committee and president, followed by the election of the party secretariat, which the central committee will approve. The party aims to retain the current provisions allowing the president to appoint the treasurer and deputy treasurer.

One leader explained, “The first phase involves electing central members and the president, after which the central committee will select the secretariat.” Discussions are ongoing about whether to include a mandatory female candidate for vice-chairperson and one from marginalized communities.

While many leaders advocate for holding the presidential election in the second phase, there is a strong push to conduct both the central member and presidential elections simultaneously in the first phase.

Sources reveal that the party is also planning to introduce a senior leader position in the new constitution, which is currently under discussion. “There is no other candidate interested in the senior leader or president positions; the senior leader position will be added to the constitution,” one leader confirmed.

The party is preparing to approve a proposal limiting the number of office bearers to no more than 16.