Kathmandu, February 10

Top three leaders of Rastriya Prajatantra Party are preparing to file candidacy for the chairmanship of the party in the upcoming unity convention scheduled to be held from February 17 to 20 in Kathmandu.

Party’s senior leader Pashupati SJB Rana, Chair Kamal Thapa and National Chairman Prakash Chandra Lohani have expressed their desire to contest for the party leadership.

Rana told THT he was monitoring representative’s selections and other key factors before taking a decision. “After evaluating these factors, I will take decision within two to three days,” he said.

A source close to Kamal Thapa informed that Thapa’s candidacy was likely to be announced by February 14.“Once the picture of nation-wide representative selection becomes clear, the leaders will start their campaigns,” a central committee member told THT on condition of anonymity.

The selection of convention representatives has concluded at majority of the constituencies. According to him, the trio is busy calculating how many representatives could vote for them.

The party had decided to select nine convention representatives from each constituency. These representatives include two women, one Dalit, one member from a minority community and one from the disabled community. Along with this, four from metropolitan cities, three from sub-metropolitan cities and two from each municipality will also represent in the convention.

“The convention will also decide whether the party should adopt the political line of monarchy and Hindu State”, said party leader Dilnath Giri. He said the party’s functioning was affected by leaders’ desire to secure positions in the party.  Some leaders have also suggested rotating the party leadership as practised in the past.