KATHMANDU, Jan 8: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) led by Rajendra Lingden and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP-Nepal) led by Kamal Thapa have initiated negotiations to merge the two parties, with Thapa-led RPP-Nepal reviving its agenda to reinstate the monarchy.
The RPP and RPP-N had parted their ways after RPP-N gave up its agenda to reinstate monarchy—something RPP has set as its main agenda. Lingden and Thapa were not even in talking terms for over one and half years following their differences on the party’s political line.
According to the party insiders, the talks of unification between the two parties— popularly known as royalist parties—have begun after Lingden and Thapa held a meeting a week ago. “Talks have begun between the two leaders. However, nothing substantive has been achieved yet,” said RPP Spokesperson Mohan Shrestha.
RPP puts on hold monarchy restoration demand
Thapa, who was defeated by Rajendra Lingden at the party's general convention held in November, 2021, revived the RPP-Nepal. Thapa also gave up the agenda of reinstating the monarchy, alleging that former King Gyanendra Shah had interfered in the election to defeat him in the general convention.
Shrestha said there were no formal talks between the two party leaders after they had different political lines. The recent meeting came after the RPP-Nepal revived its political agenda to reinstate monarchy.
The RPP-N has concluded that this was a favorable time for restoration of monarchy. The party analyzed that the current period is the most favorable time for the restoration of the monarchy and a Hindu nation.
In the political report presented at the recently concluded central committee meeting, Chairman Thapa stated, "The most favorable situation has now arisen for restoring the monarchy and a Hindu nation. It is surprising that, even in the current situation, where there is strong discontent with the promoters of the federal secular republic and people are seeking an alternative to Nepali Congress and Communists, monarchists and Hinduists are unable to unite."
Meanwhile, the RPP has already opened its doors to unite with individuals and parties carrying similar ideology. “We have been proposing such individuals and parties to forge a working alliance, if not unity. We have started negotiations based on the same decision of the party,” said Spokesperson Shrestha.
The RPP seeks to form a strong nationalist democratic force. The RPP has called a central committee meeting on January 15 and 16, where leaders have stated that all these issues will be discussed.
