KATHMANDU, Jan 10: The merger process between the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Ujyaalo Nepal Party has collapsed, prompting both parties to convene emergency meetings.
RSP called a high-level secretariat meeting, to be held virtually, to discuss party unity, organizational adjustments, and other pressing matters following disagreements over the merger. Ujyaalo Nepal has also convened an emergency press meet, scheduled for Saturday at 4:00 PM, where the party is expected to formally announce its departure from the merger.
I couldn’t save party unity despite exercising maximum flexibil...
The split centers on disputes over leadership positions, proportional representation seats, and broader organizational issues. Kulman Ghising of Ujyaalo Nepal was initially to serve as Vice-Chair under RSP, subordinate to KMC Mayor Balendra Shah, the party’s prime ministerial candidate, and second-in-command after Chairman Rabi Lamichhane. However, Ghising has withdrawn from the agreement.
Reports suggest that the breakdown stemmed from multiple contentious demands: claims for the vice-chair and general secretary positions, requests for more cases than agreed, proposals to change the party’s name, demands for a half-term prime ministerial arrangement, and, despite agreement on socialism and democracy, a firm stance on communism.
These developments have intensified uncertainties over the merger and highlighted ongoing challenges in aligning leadership roles, organizational structures, and ideological positions ahead of upcoming elections.
