RSP’s first general convention turns into a tiring and costly affair for delegates

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which campaigned on a platform of political reform in Nepal, is facing backlash from its own delegates during its inaugural national convention. Reports indicate severe logistical mismanagement, including delays and harsh weather conditions, alongside concerns about the party's financial burden on attendees. Delegates arriving in Bharatpur for the convention encountered sweltering heat and lengthy queues, a stark contrast to the digitally driven, seamless democratic exercise they anticipated. Bishnu Bahadur Khadka, an RSP district secretary, expressed frustration over daily accommodation costs of up to Rs2,000, highlighting the financial strain on ordinary middle-class citizens. "How long can we sustain this heavy financial burden?" he questioned, noting that hundreds of delegates share this distress due to inadequate institutional preparation. The convention's opening session on Sunday was delayed by hours, with party chair Rabi Lamichhane and Prime Minister Balendra Shah arriving significantly late, mirroring the operational delays of older parties the RSP vowed to replace. Prime Minister Shah himself departed before casting his vote, disillusioned by the voting system's chaos. Beyond logistical failures, the convention's process for endorsing crucial ideological documents has drawn criticism. These documents were approved rapidly, without floor debates, raising fundamental questions about the RSP's commitment to internal democracy. Many delegates, deeply dissatisfied with the disorganization, have begun returning home prematurely. The party's promise of automated governance contrasted sharply with delegates' experiences of standing in long lines for basic registration and nomination forms, leading to accusations of a "complete lack of homework" and an "absolute disaster" in internal management.

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We, ordinary middle-class citizens, are forced to pay up to Rs2,000 every day just for our basic hotel accommodation. How long can we sustain this heavy financial burden?