The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has included a provision in its party statute that allows the removal of the parliamentary party leader if they act contrary to the instructions of the party president.
This provision was introduced in Article 68 of the party statute, which was passed by the party’s first general convention that concluded on June 26.
The RSP contested the March 5 election declaring Balen Shah as the party’s prime minister’s candidate and subsequently elected him as the parliamentary party leader.
Article 68 of the statute states that the provision regarding the removal of the parliamentary party leader was included based on universal parliamentary norms to balance democratic accountability and positional stability within the parliamentary party.
Sub-section (1) of the said article outlines six conditions under which the parliamentary party leader can be removed.
The fifth condition states that “the parliamentary party leader can be removed if they fail to follow the policy guidance provided by the party president."
The article grants the president the right and duty to coordinate with the parliamentary party. This specific clause grants the party president the authority to remove the parliamentary party leader.
"In the event that the party president is not the parliamentary party leader, they shall provide the necessary policy guidance to the parliamentary party for the effective representation and implementation of the party's official policies, principles, decisions, and viewpoints in Parliament. Complying with such guidance shall be the mandatory duty of the parliamentary party, the parliamentary party leader, and the members," the clause states.
According to the statute, the leader of the RSP parliamentary party will be removed from their position under the following circumstances:
- If they submit a written resignation from the post of party leader or pass away.
- If they are no longer a member of Federal Parliament or provincial assembly (if their parliamentary status is revoked or their term expires).
- If they leave the party or are expelled from the party.
- If they lose a vote of confidence within Parliament while leading the government.
- If they fail to comply with the policy guidance provided by the party president.
- If a motion of recall or no-confidence is passed against them within the parliamentary party.
