The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set to hold its first general convention from May 8 to 10, 2025, in Chitwan, the constituency of its leader, Rabi Lamichhane. However, Lamichhane's trial in police custody for cooperatives funds embezzlement has raised questions about how the convention will go and how the party's agenda will shape up.

The uncertainty surrounding Lamichhane's legal battles could hinder the party's ability to organise and conduct its convention effectively. As the situation unfolds, an RSP secretariat member says the party may need to adapt its strategies to maintain cohesion and public support.

“The timing of the general convention might differ slightly from the stipulated date,” the secretariat member said. “Many things will depend on the party president’s case.”

Having recorded his statement in the Kaski District Court regarding the Suryadarshan Cooperative funds misuse, the court on Tuesday started remand hearing of Lamichhane along with a few other people accused in the misappropriation of cooperatives funds, said the district court registrar.

The party leader said the court's final verdict on Lamichhane will make things clear for the general convention.

Manish Jha, the party's acting spokesperson, however, claims that the general convention will occur on the stipulated time. The party is organising events in various districts in preparation for the convention four months away. According to Jha, the party has held meetings in more than 60 districts out of the 77.

“We lag behind in some Himalayan districts due to the weather. Or else, in every province, we are about to complete district gatherings,” Jha said.

The leadership has assigned acting roles to leaders in the positions left vacant by the case against Lamichhane and then-general secretary Mukul Dhakal’s ouster. On December 23, the party appointed Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal, the party’s founding vice president, as its acting president. Three leaders now have major acting responsibilities.

On December 22, a case was filed against Lamichhane in the Kaski court. He faced serious allegations, including cooperatives funds embezzlement, organised crime, and money laundering. Following these charges, he was suspended as a lawmaker, and the party appointed an acting president.

The party’s acting general secretary role has been given to Joint General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti while Joint Spokesperson Manish Jha is acting as the RSP spokesperson. Dhakal held both these positions.

The party, established with an alternative national political agenda and a promise to function differently from the old parties, fends off questions about running the party under an acting leader.

The arrest has overshadowed other agendas, including preparations for the general convention. Meanwhile, RSP leaders claim that the party has returned to regular activities following the appointment of the acting president.

Our party had a district coordinator and assistant coordinator until now. However, after the meeting at the district level, it formed a committee that now conducts the convention in every ward. This will give momentum to the general convention, said another party leader.

“We are working to complete ward-level conventions as well as other preparations before the general convention,” said Sishir Khanal, another party leader.

The RSP also lacks its parliamentary party leader, a position previously held by Lamichhane. However, some party leaders say that Birajbhakta Shrestha, the deputy parliamentary leader, should be given the role as he did when Lamichhane’s lawmaker position was annulled following a citizenship issue in 2023.

A few party leaders also claim that when one vice-chair, Aryal, is appointed acting chief in Lamichhane's absence, the other vice-chair, Swarmin Walge, should lead the party in Parliament.

However, Ganesh Karki, a central committee member, says that the party has yet to finalise the parliamentary party leader since the new session of Parliament has yet to begin.

“Regarding parliamentary party leaders, the party might discuss them in the upcoming central committee meeting,” Karki said.

The expanded central committee meeting of the party is set to be held on January 3–5.