KATHMANDU, Jan 10: The merger between the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Kulman Ghising-aligned Ujyaalo Nepal Party collapsed in less than two weeks. RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane told secretariat members that he was unable to preserve party unity despite showing “maximum flexibility.”
Addressing a virtual secretariat meeting, Lamichhane briefed members that he could not prevent the split. “I adopted the utmost flexibility to advance party unity according to prior agreement, but under the current circumstances, we have to put the merger with Ujyaalo Nepal on hold. I could not save the unity of the party,” a secretariat member quoted him as saying.
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Secretariat member Shishir Khanal told Republica that Kulman Ghising had insisted on multiple demands, including changing the party name, selecting direct-election constituencies according to his preference, and securing specific proportional representation seats. RSP leadership reportedly refused to agree to a party name change.
Another secretariat member said Kulman had also demanded that central committee and office-bearer positions should not be fewer than those of Mayor Balendra Shah.
