RSP statute gives chair power to remove parliamentary party leader

Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has introduced a significant change to its party statute, granting its chair the power to remove the parliamentary party leader. This provision, approved during the party's first national convention held in Chitwan from June 21 to June 27, stipulates that the parliamentary party leader's position will automatically become vacant if they fail to adhere to the chair's policy directives.

Rabi Lamichhane, the RSP chair, was elected unopposed at the convention. Balendra Shah currently serves as the parliamentary party leader. An agreement from December 28 last year outlined that the chair would lead the party, while the senior leader would lead the government. The new statute reinforces this structure by making compliance with the chair's guidance mandatory for the parliamentary party leader and its members.

Section 68 of the statute details the circumstances under which the parliamentary party leader can be removed. These include resignation, death, ceasing to be a member of parliament, expulsion from the party, losing a vote of confidence, failing to follow the chair's policy directives, or a recall or no-confidence motion passed by the parliamentary party. Section 11 (A) clarifies the chair's duties, including coordinating between the party and its parliamentary wing and providing policy guidance to ensure the implementation of the party's official policies.