Kathmandu — The unity process between the Rastriya Swatantra Party and Ujyalo Nepal has entered a phase of uncertainty, with the agreement yet to be implemented due to unresolved differences between the two sides.
Despite continuous dialogue between RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane and former minister Kulman Ghising, leaders say disagreements on several key issues have raised concerns that the unity process could break down.
According to a leader from Ujyalo Nepal, talks between Lamichhane and Ghising have been ongoing, but discussions have not shown positive progress.
Disagreements Over Party Name and Political Identity
“There is scheduled to be another discussion between Rabi and Kulman today as well. However, there are serious disagreements over the party name, leadership positions, central committee members, and the proportional representation candidate list,” the leader said.
Ujyalo Nepal is unwilling to proceed with a unity arrangement that would effectively eliminate its political identity. Some leaders within Ujyalo Nepal have insisted that the Rastriya Swatantra Party must change its name as part of any merger.
“Our position is that the party should be named either the National Ujyalo Party or the Ujyalo Swatantra Party,” the leader said. “They have not presented concrete proposals. They do not appear willing to change the party name or the election symbol. We cannot move forward if our existence is erased.”
Disputes Over Leadership Roles and Proportional Representation
Disagreements also persist over the distribution of senior vice-chair positions, general secretaries, joint general secretaries, and central committee membership.
“They have not acknowledged our strength,” the leader said. “We have already reached 100 electoral constituencies, have representation in 56 districts, and have an established organizational structure. We proposed including 18 names in the proportional representation list, with six placed at the top to ensure election as lawmakers. Instead, they included only 14 names and placed them toward the end of the list.”
Ujyalo Nepal currently has 94 central committee members. Kulman Ghising does not hold any formal position within the party. While most Ujyalo Nepal leaders believe the earlier agreement with RSP should be implemented and unity maintained, some argue that the party has already established its brand under the name Ujyalo Nepal and should move forward independently.
RSP Reviews Unity Talks in Secretariat Meeting
Meanwhile, the Rastriya Swatantra Party has convened a virtual secretariat meeting today. Party leaders say the unity issue will be discussed during the meeting. An agreement had been reached on Poush 14 to appoint Kulman Ghising as RSP vice-chair. However, following criticism that he had joined a political party, Ghising resigned from the government.
According to RSP leader Ganesh Parajuli, “Despite demonstrating maximum flexibility, cooperation with Ujyalo Nepal has been suspended for now.”
