Efforts are underway to unify the Rastriya Prajantra Party led by Rajendra Lingden and the Rastriya Prajatra Party-Nepal (RPP-Nepal) headed by Kamal Thapa. Both parties have the agenda of re-establishing Nepal as a Hindu nation and monarchy.
The status was stripped following the success of the second people’s movement in 2006.
Four years ago, after Lingden’s panel secured victory in key positions, including the party chair, at the general convention, Thapa broke away from the RPP. He even accused former king Gyanendra of influencing the convention from Nirmal Niwas, and went on to form a separate party.
The two pro-monarchy forces have intensified their unification efforts mainly in view of the election for the House of Representatives set to be held on March 5. The new political scenario triggered by the Gen Z uprising in September and unifications and alliances of other forces also inspired the royalist forces to come together, said leaders.
Both parties had earlier joined hands to stage a pro-monarchy protest at Tinkune in Kathmandu on March 28. Later, the Thapa-led party also participated in the Kathmandu-centred royalist movement led by the RPP beginning on May 28.
RPP-Nepal chair Thapa at a function on Tuesday signalled possible unification of the parties. Addressing a district gathering of the party-affiliated Gen Z front in Kathmandu, Thapa said that a “happy announcement” could be expected within the next few days.
“If everything goes well, you will hear good news within a few days. It is the demand of the time for like-minded forces to unite,” Thapa said.
On November 27, the RPP formed a committee comprising party leaders Buddhiman Tamang, Bikram Pandey and Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan to pursue unity, alliances, and cooperation with like-minded parties, campaigns, groups, and individuals.
Soon after, RPP leaders had told the Post that there is a sentiment among like-minded parties to cooperate, but there was no concrete achievement.
Within a few days of the RPP forming a dialogue committee, RPP-Nepal chair Thapa announced the possibility of party unification.
RPP-Nepal spokesperson Rajaram Bartaula said it’s the need of the time and the demand of national politics.
“The time we broke apart and the time we are considering unity are different. It’d be unwise to keep both events in a single basket,” Bartaula argued.
“The changed political scenario after the Gen Z uprising also made leaders from both sides realise … why not to come together since they have no ideological differences.”
The RPP-Nepal has put forth no precondition for unification and awaits a decision from the RPP, Bartaula added. He also expects the central committee of the RPP to decide soon in favour of unification.
A central committee meeting of the RPP kicked off on Wednesday. RPP spokesperson Mohan Shrestha, who is a close aide of party chair Lingden, admitted the discussion to have taken place with the RPP-Nepal for unification. He, however, ruled out the chances of the ongoing central committee making a definite decision on it.
“Our party has formed a committee for the unification between like-minded parties. The same committee will make a decision related to unification with the RPP-Nepal,” Shrestha said.
The push for unity comes at a time when Lingden finds himself in a tight spot within the RPP. A few months ago, Lingden stripped party vice-chairperson Mukunda Shyam Giri and spokesperson Sagun Lawoti, among others, of their responsibilities, allegedly for acting against party interests.
Although the party’s decision should have been sent to the Election Commission for update, that was not done. As a result, the decision gained no legal validity.
The unification was pushed back as the relationship between party chair Lingden and General Secretary Dhawal Shamsher Rana soured.
The feud between Lingden and Rana worsened after Lingden in October last year removed Rana as the head of the party’s organisational department and gave the role to Buddiman Tamang. Rana was removed from the responsibility while he was undergoing treatment at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, India.
Since then the Rana faction has been critical of Lingden. The criticism was amplified when the party performed poorly in the local byelections last year.
RPP Vice-chairman and a member of the dialogue committee, Dhurba Bahadur Pradhan, said that although discussions on unity with the RPP-Nepal are ongoing, the issue was not ripe to be taken to the Central Committee.
Pradhan said that both sides are ironing out some technical matters. “Only after all issues are sorted out will we move forward with party unification,” he said.
Asked whether reuniting with Thapa who had walked away just a few years ago might create further problems for the party amid festering factional feud, Pradhan said the presence of dissatisfied factions is natural in any democratic party. He insisted that unification with Thapa would not create problems for the RPP.
Thapa was an outgoing chair but he split from the party for various reasons, Pradhan said. “Now if he considers rejoining the party it will have no negative impact on the party’s internal dynamics.”