Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah will hold the second-highest position within Nepal’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), following party chair Rabi Lamichhane, according to leaders close to the agreement reached between the two.
A seven-point agreement was signed between Lamichhane and Shah early Sunday morning. Under the agreement, the RSP will nominate Shah as its candidate for prime minister in the upcoming general election. Following the election, Shah will also be appointed parliamentary party leader.
The agreement, however, does not specify what formal position Shah will hold within the party’s internal organizational structure. KP Khanal, who is close to Shah, said the understanding between the two sides is that Shah will rank second in the party hierarchy.
“Since he is being projected as the future prime ministerial candidate and parliamentary party leader, he will remain second in seniority within the party,” Khanal said. “Mayor Shah did not raise the issue of holding any party post during the negotiations.
His focus was on addressing the country’s challenges. However, in terms of political hierarchy, he will stand next to Chair Rabi Lamichhane.” The agreement also does not specify how many individuals from Shah’s side will be included in the party’s central committee or who they will be.
It states that after unification, the party will work to strengthen and expand its organizational structure by incorporating youth activists and experienced professionals. Responsibilities will be assigned based on merit, inclusiveness, and public standing, according to the agreement.
