The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is holding an internal election on Saturday and Sunday to select its candidates for the proportional representation (PR) electoral system.
To give the feel of a real election, the party has even had aspirants conduct door-to-door campaigns.
Along with ordinary party members, central leaders are also in the race to become PR candidates. A total of 19 central leaders, including five office-bearers, are taking part in the party’s internal election.
The RSP has excluded lawmakers elected under the proportional representation category in the previous election. Party Vice-president Dol Prasad Aryal and spokesperson Manish Jha were elected as PR lawmakers in the 2022 general election, making them ineligible this time.
Those contesting for PR candidacy this time include Joint General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya, Treasurer Lima Adhikari, Joint Treasurer Basumaya Tamang, and Co-spokespersons Pratibha Rawal and Ramesh Prasai.
Acharya is regarded within the party as being adept in policy formulation and planning. He played a key role in designing the party’s candidate selection framework. He previously served as the party’s Lumbini province in-charge. Acharya was also the coordinator of the Rupandehi-2 by-election mobilization committee, which selected the party’s candidate.
Treasurer Adhikari is active in social entrepreneurship. Before entering politics, she was a member of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce and a director at Nepal Infrastructure Bank (NIFRA). She has experience of working in the private sector, banking investment, and women’s entrepreneurship.
Joint Treasurer Tamang is also a well-known figure in women’s entrepreneurship. She runs Nepali Mann Udhyog. Tamang hails from Ruby Valley Rural Municipality in Dhading and is widely recognized as a self-made entrepreneur who rose to success from humble beginnings.
Co-spokesperson Rawal previously worked in the secretariat of party President Rabi Lamichhane. She was a journalist before becoming active in politics.
Another co-spokesperson Prasai also made his name as a journalist. He is also known for oratory and singing skills.
Central members Krantishikha Dhital, Arnico Panday, and Ishra Mulla Miya are also contesting for PR candidacy.
Dhital was active as a journalist before entering politics. She continues to work in the psychosocial sector, providing counseling services. She is also a student of peace, conflict, and development.
Panday previously served as a member of the National Planning Commission, while Miya is a former chairman of the National Hajj Committee.
Besides them, central committee members Kusum Maharjan, Pramila Kuluju, Eliza Gurung, Sabina BK, Nisha Mehta, Bijay Jairu, Jwala Sangraula, Khusbu Sarkar Shrestha, Dr Nandan Yadav, Kamini Chaudhary, and Tapeshwar Yadav are also taking part in the internal election.
Likewise, Gen Z leaders including Purushottam Yadav, Tashi Lhazom, and former journalist Pramod Neupane are in the race to become PR candidates.
