Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane is preparing to nominate a limited number of central committee members and office bearers after Prime Minister Balendra Shah's camp failed to submit its recommendations for appointments ahead of the party's central committee meeting.

The ruling party's central committee is scheduled to meet at 11am on Wednesday, with organisational management and nominations listed as one of the agendas of the meeting. Under the party statute, the chairman can nominate 51 central committee members, subject to endorsement by the central committee.

RSP General Secretary Bipin Acharya said the meeting would make the first round of appointments, although the exact number had yet to be decided.

"The central committee meeting will make the first phase of nominations for central committee members and office bearers. It is not possible to say exactly how many will be nominated. That is why nominations have been included in the meeting agenda," said Acharya.

Party leaders had earlier expected to settle the remaining appointments after the first general convention held in Bharatpur, Chitwan, from June 21 to 26. Newly elected office bearers and central committee members took their oath in Kathmandu on July 1, when discussions were also held on filling the remaining nominated positions.

However, leaders close to Shah said the prime minister's side had not finalised its recommendations. A central committee member close to Shah said discussions on who should be nominated to the central committee and office-bearer positions were still incomplete.

"As of Monday evening, we have not finalised our recommendations for the central committee and office-bearer positions. The prime minister has also been occupied with government responsibilities," the leader said. "Before the central committee meeting, there will probably be further discussions with the chairman so that nominations are in keeping with the spirit of integration. Looking at the preparations, it does not appear that all 51 central committee members and the remaining office bearers will be appointed in one go."

Another central committee member said Lamichhane had concluded that appointments should proceed in different phases because consultations on balancing representation and integrating different groups within the party were still under way.

"The issue of integration has not yet been settled. There has not been sufficient dialogue. Therefore, the chairman believes that appointing some central committee members and office bearers now will allow the party's work to move forward," the leader said.

Besides nominations, Wednesday's meeting will review the party's first general convention, discuss organisational procedures requiring revision after amendments to the party statute, approve future campaigns and programmes, and consider other organisational matters.

Acharya said a thorough review of the convention was necessary to improve future party events.

"We need a critical review of the convention so that the party's future course becomes stronger. We have already apologised for technical and management shortcomings during the convention. As the statute has been amended, several procedures also need to be drafted or revised," he said.

The RSP's first general convention formally restructured the party's leadership and incorporated provisions recognising the post of senior leader. Shah, who joined the party after signing a seven-point agreement with Lamichhane on December 28, 2025, is expected to be formally inducted into the central leadership through nomination before being appointed senior leader.

Party leaders said Shah would first be nominated as a central committee member before assuming the senior leader's role.

Eleven office bearer positions remain vacant, including one vice-chairperson, one general secretary, two joint general secretaries, one spokesperson, three deputy spokespersons, one treasurer and two deputy treasurers. The party statute requires inclusive representation in these appointments, including at least four women and two representatives from marginalised communities such as indigenous nationalities, Madhesis, Dalits, Tharus, Muslims and other minority groups.