Key Takeaways:

• Lingden says RPP has not backed UML's Kiran Thapa for chief minister
• Party begins disciplinary action against members acting against policy
• Letter from RPP Secretariat asks Province Chief not to recognise support
• RPP's 12 lawmakers cannot be counted unless party changes official stance

HETAUDA, AUGUST 19 The formation of a new government in Bagmati Province has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chair Rajendra Lingden said his party has not backed any political party to form the provincial government. Lingden, in a statement posted on Facebook, said a letter submitted claiming RPP's support for CPN-UML lawmaker Kiran Thapa's bid for chief minister was against the party's official decision. He also said disciplinary proceedings had already begun against party members found acting against the party's policy. Read More: UML's Kiran Thapa claims Bagmati Chief Minister's post In a separate letter signed by RPP general secretary and Secretariat chief Rajendra Gurung, the party asked Province Chief Dipak Prasad Devkota not to recognise the letter submitted in support of Thapa. The letter said the RPP Working Committee had decided on August 5 that the party would not participate in the 'mathematical manoeuvring' of provincial power politics under the current circumstances. It also said the authority to take decisions regarding provincial governments had been vested solely in party chair Lingden. The RPP had already instructed its parliamentary party leader on August 17 to remain neutral until further instructions. The latest intervention comes after RPP's provincial parliamentary party was reported to have supported Thapa's bid to lead a new government. Thapa had submitted his claim for chief minister on Wednesday with the backing of the CPN, UML and RPP. The 104-member Bagmati Provincial Assembly requires 53 lawmakers for a majority. The CPN has 26 members, UML 25 and RPP 12. However, Lingden's statement means the RPP's 12 lawmakers cannot be automatically counted as support for the proposed UML-led government unless the party changes its official position.