Nepal’s royalist party splits. Monarchy’s place in politics at heart of dispute

Nepal's political landscape has seen another significant realignment with the formal split of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). Senior leader General Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana announced on Thursday that he and his supporters are quitting the party to establish a new political entity. This marks the seventh division within the RPP in 35 years and highlights ongoing internal conflicts, particularly between Rana and party chair Rajendra Lingden, over the fundamental role of the monarchy in contemporary Nepali politics.

Rana articulated his decision with a sense of regret but firm resolve, comparing the RPP to a structure beyond repair. "With great sadness, we have reached a point where we must leave our own home," Rana stated at a press conference in Kathmandu. He emphasized that when core values and principles can no longer be upheld within an existing organization, the courage to depart and build anew is necessary. His vision for the new party is to create a "nationalist force" that supports a "democracy with the monarchy" and aims to consolidate various royalist, nationalist, and Hindu groups under a unified platform. Discussions are reportedly underway with controversial businessman Durga Prasai to solidify this new alliance.

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With great sadness, we have reached a point where we must leave our own home. When you realise that the values and principles you carry can no longer be fulfilled within the house you live in, you must have the courage to leave and build another one.

However, RPP chair Rajendra Lingden has contested the narrative of a formal split. He asserted that such a division requires at least 40 percent support within the party's Central Committee or parliamentary group, a threshold he claims Rana's faction has not met. Lingden characterized the departures as voluntary and accused Rana and his allies of working against the party's growth and failing to commit to its strengthening. He suggested that Rana's group had already decided to leave before the March 5 election, actively hindering the RPP's potential to become a strong national force. The dispute has reportedly been simmering for nearly four years, intensifying over differing views on the monarchy's active political engagement versus the RPP's official stance.

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A party split requires at least 40 percent support either in the Central Committee or the parliamentary party. Dhawalji and his colleagues have quit voluntarily.