Sri Kunwar, who had been recommended as a candidate by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has announced his resignation from the party, alleging that he was deceived during the candidate selection process.
Kunwar had been recommended as a candidate for the House of Representatives election from Rupandehi Constituency No. 1. The RSP had forwarded six names, including Kunwar, for candidacy in the constituency.
A long-time supporter of the party since its formation while residing in the United States, Kunwar said he decided to quit after the party selected a candidate without conducting a primary election, despite publicly committing to the process. He submitted his resignation on Thursday, addressing it to party chairperson Ravi Lamichhane.
Dispute Over Primary Election Process
In his resignation letter, Kunwar stated that the party violated its own principles by bypassing the primary election and appointing Sunil Lamsal—an advisor to Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah—as the candidate under what he described as Shah’s quota.
Kunwar said he had been living a settled life in the United States but returned to Nepal after being encouraged by local RSP leaders to contest the election. He said regional chairperson Mohan Bikram Giri and party leader Prem Khatri urged him to return and participate, assuring him that a primary election would be held.
“I was settled in the United States, but I came to Nepal after being encouraged to contest the election. I participated believing a primary election would take place, but the party selected a candidate without conducting one,” Kunwar said.
Candidacy Filed from Another Party
Although Kunwar publicly announced his resignation on Thursday, it has been revealed that he had already filed his candidacy on Magh 6 from the Progressive Democratic Party, led by Baburam Bhattarai.
Pankaj Rai, the Progressive Democratic Party’s in-charge for Rupandehi, confirmed that Kunwar has filed his candidacy from Rupandehi Constituency No. 1 under the party’s banner.
