Ishwar Khanal

Kathmandu, March 22:

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), currently reeling under intra-party wrangling regarding the February 1 Royal move, appears heading towards intra-party tussle amid claims that the leadership could “dismiss” those who are defying the official stance on the move. The party, which has been suggesting conciliatory approach to ensure talks between the monarch and the mainstream political parties ever since the February 1 move, is also all set to make “certain changes” in the sister organisations. This could mean all those who are going about in a defiant manner against party leadership could be sidelined.

The party has already commenced a purge of sorts by dismissing Jagat Gauchan, a central working committee member of the party, from the post of the coordinator of the National Democratic Students Organisation (NDSO) on Sundy. However, as to how far the leadership could go asserting its authority would depend on what happens during the informal central committee meeting of the party at its office in Kupondole tomorrow, amid claims that since the party is fairly divided on the issue of backing the royal move, the leadership could face a revolt. “The party might make some changes in its sister organisations and might even dismiss some leaders,” party joint general secretary Khem Raj Pandit told this daily today. However, an influential CWC member said they would compel the party leadership to “review” its earlier stance of taking a “middle path” and come up with a clear stance on the royal move. Insisting that the party should support the February 1 move, he said that they would not allow the party leadership to “impose” dictatorship anymore.

“He (the party president Pashupati SJB Rana) will have to face tremendous pressure from the central working committee member tomorrow to review the party’s stance,” he said.

Tomorrow’s meeting has been billed crucial at a time when a majority of sister organisations have been pressurising the leadership to support the King’s move. Pandit said that the party leadership will leave no stone unturned to make a “safe-landing” on the issue which appears to be giving rise to a showdown between hardliners and moderates in the party. “Their cries would not affect the party’s stand,” Pandit said.He added that anybody going against the party’s decision should face consequences. Saying that the CWC members must follow the party’s formal decision, he said: “They cannot just go against the party decision.” Party CWC member Jagat Gauchan, however, said that his approach would depend on the agenda. “Let me know the agenda first.”