New Party Faces Internal Strife Over Candidate Selection
Just days after a significant merger, a newly unified political force is grappling with internal discord and public scrutiny over its selection of candidates for the upcoming proportional representation (PR) elections. The controversy centers on the inclusion of individuals perceived as well-off and well-connected in a category designed to represent underrepresented and underprivileged segments of society.
The merger, which saw the Rabi Lamichhane-led Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) join forces with the Ujyalo Nepal Party (UNP), backed by Energy Minister Kulman Ghising, was finalised on December 29th. This date marked the deadline for parties to submit their PR candidate lists to the Election Commission. However, the unity proved fragile as discontent emerged from the UNP faction upon reviewing the submitted names.
Discontent Over PR List
Members of the UNP faction expressed unhappiness with the PR list, with some proposed candidates opting to withdraw their names following widespread criticism. This backlash highlighted concerns that the inclusive category was being misused.
According to Anup Kumar Updhaya, who previously chaired the UNP, leaders from his faction visited the Election Commission on Friday to explore the possibility of submitting their own list. However, differing opinions within the group exist, with some arguing the issue is less significant, especially after Upadhaya publicly downplayed the media’s portrayal of his visit to the commission.
The unified party has publicly acknowledged “some errors” in its PR list and has pledged to rectify them. Party leaders attributed these mistakes to the tight deadline, as the joint list had to be compiled hastily after the merger on the same day.
However, leaders from the UNP faction suggest deeper reasons for their dissatisfaction. One leader revealed that during the unification agreement, the UNP faction was assured of securing 18 seats under the PR quota. Despite this assurance, only 14 names from their side were reportedly included in the final list submitted to the commission.
Further compounding the issue, some UNP nominees were placed at the lower end of the PR list. This positioning significantly diminishes their chances of being elected, as candidates higher on the list are more likely to secure legislative seats. This perceived unfairness has fueled the discontent within the faction.
Nirdesh Silwal, a former central committee member of the UNP, acknowledged the concerns surrounding the PR candidate selection. He expressed optimism that these issues could be resolved within the timeframe allowed by the Election Commission for making adjustments to the closed list. “There are some mistakes in the initial list, but they can be corrected,” Silwal stated.
Election Commission’s Role and Timeline
The Election Commission has outlined a clear process for addressing candidate withdrawals and substitutions. It has stated that any candidate on a party’s closed PR list can withdraw their name within the designated period. The party then has the authority to nominate a replacement candidate to fill the vacant position.
A total of 64 political parties submitted their PR lists on December 28th and 29th. The commission is currently reviewing these submissions to ensure compliance with legal provisions, particularly concerning inclusive representation.
According to commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, political parties will be notified of any discrepancies by January 4th. They will then have until January 11th to submit corrected lists. Any candidate wishing to withdraw from a revised submission can do so by January 12th. The commission will inform the relevant party of such withdrawals, allowing them to propose a replacement. The final, public lists of candidates are scheduled to be released on January 18th, with provisions for public objections regarding the eligibility of listed candidates. Following an investigation into any objections, the commission will publish the definitive lists on February 3rd, after which no further changes will be permitted.
High-Profile Withdrawals
In the wake of widespread public criticism, several individuals nominated for PR seats by the unified RSP have chosen to withdraw their names. Singer Trishala Gurung, who was recommended by the UNP, announced her withdrawal via social media. However, Prabin Tamang, the former provincial coordinator for the UNP, noted that while the party is aware of Gurung’s decision, a formal notification is still pending. Tamang indicated that the party would then decide on a replacement.
Tamang reiterated the UNP’s concerns about the reduced number of their nominees on the PR list, especially given the initial agreement for 18 seats. He clarified that former party chairperson Upadhyay’s visit to the Election Commission was solely to inquire about the inclusion of a person with a disability from their party, and not for any other purpose. Tamang also stated that, apart from Trishala Gurung, no other changes were anticipated for the party’s PR list.
Following the emergence of differences regarding the PR list, a meeting was convened on Saturday at the RSP’s central office. The meeting involved party chair Rabi Lamichhane and a delegation that included Kulman Ghising.
RSP vice-chair DP Aryal, speaking to the press, asserted that there were no disputes between the two factions concerning the PR list. “There is no problem between us,” Aryal claimed. “If there are good suggestions, the number from their side could be 19 instead of 18. There is absolutely no issue.”
Despite these assurances, further high-profile withdrawals followed. Film director and television presenter Asif Shah, Sachin Dhakal (son of businessman Chandra Dhakal), and Tashi Sherpa, all of whom were recommended for the party’s PR quota, announced their withdrawals. Earlier, Mahendra Lawati, also on the PR list from the UNP, had withdrawn his name.
Notably, Asif Shah later announced his intention to contest for a House of Representatives seat from Kathmandu-5 under the first-past-the-post system. Lawati and Gurung, who withdrew from the RSP list, are affiliated with the UNP group. Shah, Dhakal, and Sherpa, on the other hand, were recommended by Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah’s associates, who had joined the RSP prior to the UNP’s merger.
Echoes of Past Practices
This controversy brings to mind past criticisms leveled against traditional political parties for allegedly subverting the spirit of the PR system by electing favoured individuals. The sharp backlash against newer political entities, which champion alternative politics, suggests a departure from their stated principles, as they appear to be adopting similar practices.
Earlier in the week, speaking in Pokhara, RSP chair Lamichhane had pledged to address any errors found in the party’s PR list.
The Election Commission spokesperson, Bhattarai, emphasized that when parties propose new PR candidates to replace those who have withdrawn, the original order and composition of the list must be maintained. Aryal, the RSP vice-chair, confirmed that any replacements would be nominated strictly in accordance with established rules and procedures, with a new list to be submitted in compliance with legal provisions.
Meanwhile, members of the UNP faction did not attend an event organized by the RSP in Pokhara on Saturday. The gathering featured central leaders including Vice-chair Swarnim Wagle, General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti, and spokesperson Manish Jha. Manraj Gurung, former Gandaki provincial coordinator for the UNP, stated that their absence was due to a lack of clear instructions from the central leadership.
