Bells Ring, Delegates Gather: RSP's First Convention Kicks Off in Bharatpur — 4,211 Delegates, 158 Central Members, and a Two-Thirds Mandate to Transform Nepal

21 June 2026 | Bharatpur, Chitwan — Updated 14:30 GMT

The bell rang. Not once, but many times. The election symbol of the Rastriya Swatantra Party echoed across the convention hall in Bharatpur as Rabi Lamichhane and Balen Shah jointly inaugurated the party's first national general convention.

Four thousand two hundred and eleven delegates. Thirty-three countries represented through overseas chapters. Leaders from every major political party in attendance. And a prime minister who vowed to resolve the squatter and cooperative issues within this term.

"We will solve the squatter problem within this term. We will resolve the cooperative problem within this term. We will not go to the next election carrying the same agenda again," Balen Shah told thousands of delegates.

The convention is not just a party gathering. It is a celebration of revolution, as CK Raut put it. It is an opportunity to lead Nepal in a new direction, as Upendra Yadav said. And it is a moment for the party that won a two-thirds mandate to prove that it is more than just a flash in the pan.

Leaders from across the political spectrum came to offer their best wishes. Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa praised RSP's remarkable rise in just four years. UML leader Pradeep Gyawali said other parties should learn from how RSP connected with youth. CPN leader Barshaman Pun promised continued cooperation on good governance. RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden warned that missing this opportunity would be a disservice to the nation.

Even the Chinese Communist Party and India's BJP sent congratulatory messages — a sign of RSP's growing international recognition.

The convention will elect 158 central committee members, 19 office bearers, and a party chairperson. The election schedule is tight: nomination forms distributed Monday, voting Tuesday, results announced Tuesday night.

Welcome to RSP's coming-of-age moment — where a party born from the protests of the Gen-Z movement is now shaping Nepal's political future.

Bells Ring in Bharatpur: RSP's First Convention Begins

The first national convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has officially begun. Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane and the party's Senior Leader and Prime Minister Balen Shah inaugurated the convention by ringing a bell during a special ceremony held at a convention hall constructed on the Guest House grounds in Bharatpur. Other guests present on the stage also rang bells simultaneously during the inauguration ceremony.

Among those attending the event are Gagan Kumar Thapa, President of the Nepali Congress; Pradeep Gyawali, leader of the CPN-UML; Barshaman Pun, leader of the Communist Party of Nepal; and Rajendra Lingden, Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).

Former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Upendra Yadav, Chairman of the Janata Samajbadi Party, and Chandrakanta Raut, Chairman of the Janamat Party, are also participating in the event.

Despite rainfall during the opening session, the ceremony witnessed a significant public turnout.

4,211 Delegates: The Numbers Behind RSP's First Convention

According to the party, 4,211 delegates are participating in RSP's first national convention in Chitwan. A large number of district-level leaders, activists, and supporters from Chitwan and neighboring districts have also gathered for the opening program.

The party has arranged for municipal chairpersons, constituency chairpersons and vice-chairpersons, and five representatives including district chairpersons to serve as convention delegates.

All members of the provincial committees, office bearers of provincial-level departments, the Disciplinary Commission, and the Advisory Council have also been designated as delegates.

Similarly, all central committee members of the Federal Leadership Forum are participating as delegates. Representation has also been ensured from the party's 38 central departments, with 11 members from each department, as well as 11 representatives each from the Central Election Commission, Disciplinary Commission, and Audit Commission.

Balen Shah's Promise: 'Squatter and Cooperative Issues Will Be Resolved This Term'

Prime Minister Balen Shah has said that his government will resolve issues ranging from squatters' problems to cooperative-related challenges within the current term.

Addressing the opening session of the first national convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which began today in Bharatpur, Chitwan, Prime Minister Shah, who is also the party's senior leader, made the statement.

Ravi's Message to Congress and UML: 'Resolve Your Internal Challenges'

RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane has urged the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML to resolve their internal difficulties.

Speaking at the party's first national convention, Lamichhane said that all political parties need to become stronger and functional.

"All parties must be in good shape. Challenges have emerged within the two major parties, the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML," he said.

He added: "Those challenges are not only problems for those parties. If those internal problems are not resolved, they could become problems for the country as well. My best wishes to them — please resolve the issues within your own parties."

Lamichhane stated that if not only RSP but also other political parties can overcome their internal challenges, Nepal can move toward a better path.

'A Celebration of Revolution': Leaders Hail RSP's Rise

Gagan Kumar Thapa: 'Enviable Public Support in Just Four Years'

Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has praised the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) for the impressive level of public support it has gained within just four years of its establishment.

"The level of public support you have received within just four years of forming the party is truly enviable. I wholeheartedly praise you for it," Thapa said.

He described the electoral mandate received by RSP as extraordinary, noting that only a few political parties in Nepal's history have achieved such a level of public backing in such a short period of time.

Thapa further congratulated the party's leadership and members for their achievements: "From building the organization to achieving electoral success, Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane and the Right Honorable Prime Minister Balen Shah have provided capable leadership."

Pradeep Gyawali: 'Rabi Already Has Consensus Support'

During the opening ceremony of the RSP's first national convention, UML leader Pradeep Gyawali remarked that Rabi Lamichhane already appears to have unanimous support for the position of party chairperson.

"Regarding leadership, it seems there is little disagreement among you. It would not be wrong to say that Honorable Rabi Lamichhane has already been unanimously accepted as chairperson," Gyawali said.

Following the statement, RSP Senior Leader and Prime Minister Balen Shah applauded from the stage, where he was seated alongside Lamichhane.

Gyawali also commented that he considered Balen Shah to have already gained broad consensus as the party's senior leader. "Likewise, I believe the Honorable Prime Minister Balen Shah has already been accepted unanimously as the senior leader."

Barshaman Pun: CPN Supports RSP on Good Governance

Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) General Secretary Barshaman Pun said that his party has stood with RSP on issues of good governance and will continue to do so in the future.

Addressing the convention, he urged RSP not to pursue governance reforms in ways that would contradict the Constitution. He further stated that the CPN is ready to cooperate with RSP in promoting good governance, transparency, institutional development, and accountability.

Rajendra Lingden: 'Missing This Opportunity Would Be a Disservice to the Nation'

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Rajendra Lingden said that if RSP fails to utilize the opportunity given by the people, it would be a betrayal not only of the party but of the country itself.

He emphasized that even people with diverse political beliefs, including those who support the restoration of the monarchy, voted for RSP. "Do not let the people's trust die," he urged.

CK Raut: 'This Is a Celebration of Revolution'

Janamat Party Chairman CK Raut said that RSP Chair Ravi Lamichhane is a leader with the ability to lead the nation, comparing his potential to that of B.P. Koirala.

"This two-thirds mandate is also a responsibility," Raut said. "This is not merely RSP's convention; it is a celebration of revolution."

Upendra Yadav: RSP Has Opportunity to Lead Nepal in a New Direction

Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav said that RSP has an opportunity to leave behind the country's past distortions and shortcomings and guide Nepal toward a new direction.

He argued that while Nepal's Constitution includes important provisions such as federalism and secularism, many issues remain unresolved. "The responsibility of removing existing shortcomings and amending the Constitution now rests on your shoulders," he said.

Swarnim Wagle: 'We Have Come to Make Nepal Win'

Finance Minister and RSP Vice Chair Swarnim Wagle said that the party did not enter politics merely to form a government. Addressing the opening session in Bharatpur, he said RSP aims to change Nepal's political culture.

"We have come not to defeat others, but to make Nepal win," Wagle said.

Election Schedule: 158 Central Members, 19 Office Bearers to Be Elected

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has published the election schedule for its first national convention. According to the Central Election Commission, the preliminary list of convention delegates was published on Saturday night.

As per the schedule, the final list of delegates will be published today at 11:00 PM. Distribution of nomination forms will begin at 1:00 PM on Monday, according to Election Commission Chief Bhuvan KC.

Candidate nominations will be registered from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Monday, and the candidate list will be published at 6:00 PM. Objections against candidates can be filed between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, while investigations into objections will take place from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Candidates will have until 9:15 PM to withdraw their nominations. The final candidate list will be published at 11:00 PM.

The first phase of voting will take place on Tuesday, Ashar 9, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Delegates will vote for one party chairperson and 99 central committee members. Vote counting and result announcements will begin approximately two hours after polling concludes, followed by the second phase of the election process.

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