After a long period of internal discord, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) General Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana has decided to part ways with the party.
For several years, General Secretary Rana had been raising questions regarding the working style of party Chairman Rajendra Lingden. He accused Chairman Lingden of repeatedly ignoring his concerns.
It is due to this friction with Chairman Lingden that Rana has left the party. In an appeal issued on Sunday, he said that he will build a "credible nationalist force."
With Rana’s departure from the RPP, the likelihood of many leaders and workers close to him also leaving has increased, pushing the party to the brink of a split.
Rana has decided to chart a new course after holding continuous meetings and discussions with his supporters.
Rana had repeatedly urged Chairman Lingden to rectify his working style, expressing deep dissatisfaction. Recently, he had given the leadership a one-week ultimatum to announce the date for a general convention. In response, Chairman Lingden convened a central committee meeting and assigned the responsibility of proposing a general convention date to a group that included Rana himself.
However, instead of taking up the responsibility, Rana has moved toward forming a new party through a new campaign.
Speaking to Setopati after issuing his appeal, Rana said, “What I have written in the appeal is the truth. For now, there is nothing beyond the ideological issues. You may understand this as the party moving toward a split.”
In his appeal, he has sought the support of leaders and workers, emphasizing the need to move forward in unity.
“Based on the views and suggestions of well-wishers, fellow fighters, and companions, I have decided to determine the future path with the intention of building a credible nationalist force in the country,” he wrote. "To friends associated with the RPP, if you believe that is the right path, I wish you well and hold no ill feelings. But if the desire is to set a true goal, I appeal to all nationalist friends to unite and move forward together."
Lingden had also been accused of sidelining office-bearers and central members close to Rana by stripping them of responsibilities. Following the election, some central members aligned with Rana had resigned from their positions.
