Rastriya Swatantra Party Leaders Express Dissatisfaction Over Selection Process of Ministers and Committee Chairs

Leaders within the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have expressed dissatisfaction with the selection of ministers, parliamentary committee chairs, and party secretaries. The unilateral approach to appointments by Prime Minister Balen Shah and Party Chair Ravi Lamichhane has sparked internal discontent. Despite a parliamentary party meeting assigning the responsibility of ministerial selections to the chairperson and senior leaders, many leaders are pressuring for a more democratic process.

Kathmandu, 19 April – Within RSP, discontent points to the naming of ministers, parliamentary committee chairs, chief secretaries, and secretaries without adequate internal consultation. Party chair Ravi Lamichhane and Prime Minister Balen Shah, who is also a senior leader, reportedly decided on names without party discussion. While leaders hesitate to openly voice their disagreement, some members informally admitted, “Whatever these two elder brothers decide, we have to accept.” Here, the “two elder brothers” refers to Lamichhane and Shah.

Dissatisfaction Over Ministerial Selection Process

On April 1, fourteen ministers including Prime Minister Shah took their oath of office. However, party leaders pointed out the absence of any formal party decision on these names. “We only learned about the ministers through the media and at the swearing-in ceremony. There was no internal party discussion,” a central member and MP stated. The issue is not personal, but the lack of consultation is considered problematic.

Some leaders and MPs voiced concerns over how the selection process was conducted, emphasizing that two individuals made decisions alone. “Usually, the decisions are made by these two elder brothers, and what they say is the final word,” another MP remarked. Many were surprised when the ministerial list was announced. Dissatisfied leaders call for adherence to democratic procedures, pointing out that many aspirants deserved consideration based on their vision and mission, but decisions were finalized unilaterally.

However, RSP spokesperson Manish Jha denied any controversy or dissent over the selection of ministers. He defended the process, citing the parliamentary party meeting on March 25, which authorized the chairperson Lamichhane and senior leader Shah to make these appointments, thus making objections inappropriate. “Once the parliamentary party meeting gave the leaders this authority, there is no procedural error,” he said, adding that dissatisfaction is natural in such a large party, which now has 182 members compared to four in the previous LSP party.

Several MPs proposed providing opportunities to both new and experienced politicians. Some dissatisfied leaders recalled how, within just 14 days, ministers had to be reshuffled due to the absence of prior consultation. “If ministers were selected aligned with a vision and mission, such early changes would not have been necessary,” complained a directly-elected MP.

Prime Minister Balen Shah dismissed Labor, Employment, and Social Security Minister Deepak Kumar Sah on April 9; the next day, a parliamentary party meeting was held. During that meeting, Chairperson Lamichhane announced preparations to appoint Ramji Yadav as Labor Minister and Gaurikumari Yadav as Minister of Industry. “The chairperson read out the names without any questions,” a participant said. “The ministers are qualified, but the party must be consulted.”

On April 9, Gaurikumari Yadav appeared bewildered when her name was proposed as minister. She admitted she had been surprised and was unsure whether anyone else shared her name. “When my name was announced, I was checking if someone else with the same name existed,” she said outside the party office. “Had I known earlier, I would have secured citizenship papers, but I came empty-handed.”

There are many new MPs in RSP this term, with limited acquaintance among themselves. “We are not informed beforehand that we are to become ministers; this kind of process is unprecedented,” another discontented MP explained. While some MPs propose giving chances to experienced as well as new members, many veteran MPs have been excluded from government positions and parliamentary committees. Twice directly elected Tosima Karki, proportional MPs from the previous house Manish Jha, Indira Rana, and Nisha Dangi have not been included in government or committee chair roles. Similarly, former independent MP Amaresh Singh, now elected under RSP, has also been left out of leadership posts.

Challenges Within Parliamentary Committees

The parliamentary party meeting on March 17 selected committee chairs, with Chairperson Lamichhane announcing names for 11 committees in brief, concluding the meeting swiftly. “There is no second discussion at these meetings. The chairperson reads out names quickly, no leader speaks, and the meeting ends,” a member reported.

There is also discontent over the appointments of chief secretary and secretaries. “Many are unhappy, alleging bias,” said one dissatisfied MP. “Names were changed abruptly, with one person’s name announced in the morning and a different one at the meeting.” On the same day, the party selected Ganesh Parajuli as deputy leader of the parliamentary party, but the meeting did not inform members. “We only learned after going home that he had been appointed,” most MPs reported. “Party decisions should not be notified from outside.” Some leaders have also expressed frustration on social media over one individual holding multiple posts; leader Pramod Nyaupane commented, “Whoever’s not in charge is left with more offices, while others have to sit under someone’s shadow.”

Spokesperson Manish Jha called on members to focus on party-building rather than dissatisfaction. “There is much work ahead beyond ministries and committees. Lawmaking remains. The party must be institutionalized. If everyone goes to the Singha Durbar, who will manage the base?” he asked rhetorically. “This is RSP’s third time in government, yet I remain busy organizing the party. I will support the chairperson. There are no grounds for dissatisfaction.”