Kathmandu, July 3: The meeting of the Central Committee of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) started at 8:30 am at the Central Office, Banasthali, Kathmandu.
According to a press note, RSP President Rabi Lamichhane took the opinion of 15/16 members in the beginning on whether to go live or not as per the demand of General Secretary Mukul Dhakal.
Most of the members who gave their opinion stressed that unlike the procedure of conducting the party meeting, the topic of the internal discussion is party strategy and diplomacy and should not be made public, saying that it should not be held live. Then President Lamichhane presented the proposal of the General Secretary to go live for decision.
According to sources, almost all the members voted not to livestream the internal matter of the party.
According to the opinion of the members, General Secretary Dhakal disagreed with the decision given by the President and the members. And, as a protest, he informed that he will participate in the meeting wearing a mask and tape over his mouth. Accordingly, he was attending the meeting. President Lamichhane adjourned the meeting for 15 minutes after the members objected that Dhakal’s decision and activities were against the methods and procedures of the meeting and party discipline and interest.
As Dhakal’s actions and statements will create confusion among party lines and general public about internal democracy, it was also agreed to publicize the process from the beginning to the end of the meeting, the RSP said in a statement.
President Lamichhane gave time to Dhakal to present the report of the review trip. However, Dhakal refused to present his report. President Lamichhane gave time to Joint Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti to submit the report. He took 1.35 hours to read the 32-page report of Dhakal.
The discussion on Dhakal’s report continues in the meeting.
After a humiliating defeat in Ilam by election, the party assigned General Secretary Dhakal to prepare a comprehensive report including party status in grassroot level, organizational structure, expectations etc. He earlier submitted the report to President Lamichhane, in which he criticised the party’s leadership, dismal performance of the ministers, among others.
He even predicted that if party leadership couldn’t intervene, the party will loose many parliamentary seats. The report also stated that the party must raise voice for scrapping the Provincial level structure.
