KATHMANDU, June 29: Alarmed by the unexpected seizure of the election deposit of their candidate in the by-election of Ilam-2, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) sent their General Secretary Dr Mukul Dhakal on a 'review trip'. Accordingly, Dhakal who embarked on a journey to 37 districts on May 19, returned to Kathmandu after meeting over 2000 people. Then, a worried Dhakal declared, “Black clouds hover around ‘Ghanti’,” the election symbol of RSP.  

On the day of establishment of RSP, Dhakal wrote on Facebook, “We are stuck on a highly sensitive and serious question. Should we save the party or not? What is our justification? We need to instill hope in the people, and make them highly conscious so as to make a bold decision.”

On Wednesday, he prepared a report and submitted it to RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane. It is now evident that his report is a ‘bundle of worries’ for the RSP. Similarly, it can be assumed that Dhakal’s report talks about the party’s declining popularity owing to the latest political path taken by it, its dramatic rise to power, the low performances of the RSP ministers and the -one-after-another controversies surrounding RSP Chairman Lamichhane. Dhakal spoke in more clear language about this while talking to journalists after handing over the report to RSP Chairman Lamichhane. 

“Our party is sick; it needs treatment, " he said, “The party is unwell because of shame in some places and an inferiority complex in others. If we fail to accept this, then the future will be disappointing for us,” he confirmed.  

“If the downhill journey continues, then even maintaining the current status will be difficult,” he further said. Dhakal seems to convey this as a clarion call for making efforts to improve the party. In a letter submitted to RSP Chairman Lamichhane, he has written, “I have confidence that this report will not only provide an accurate depiction of the party's current circumstances but also offer guidance on the direction the party should take."

Dhakal's revelations have triggered a storm within the RSP. After returning from the journey, Dhakal shared that he was forced not to disclose the information that a report based on review findings was created. 

Explosion of Conflict

The intra-party dispute reached its peak after Dhakal prepared the report against the wishes of Chairman Lamichhane and other leaders close to him. The party leaders have become hostile towards Dhakal after he pressed for publicizing the report.

Dhakal has stated that he intends to prepare the report and present it to the public. "If I don’t make this report public, it would be unjust to me. Make this report as public as it can be," he wrote.

Meanwhile, Deputy General Secretary Kavindra Burlakoti criticized the report through media interviews and he openly discussed the controversial aspects Dhakal had highlighted in the media.

Opposition to Dhakal's report is reportedly coming from Vice-Chairman Dor Prasad Aryal, Deputy General Secretary Burlakoti, and other leaders such as Dr. Swarnim Wagle, Santosh Pariyar, Ministers Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, Sumana Shrestha, MPs Sobhita Gautam, Manish Jha, who are said to be preparing to critically analyze the report. 

Member of Parliament Shishir Khanal mentioned that they will study the report seriously because the party itself had assigned Dhakal to prepare the report.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, he said, "There are indications that he may have brought some issues to light voluntarily, but we'll conduct a very thorough study of it."

The discussions regarding potentially removing Dhakal from his position are ongoing amidst these issues. The central member of the party, Ganesh Karki has indicated that it is appropriate to remove him from his responsibilities. 

"I have been saying that the party has not been functioning according to its rules. Now, the general secretary has been dragged into controversy. I don’t think he will be relieved of his duties," he said. 

 
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