Ishwar Khanal

Kathmandu, March 15:

In what the RPP insiders say as a beginning of another ‘intra-party wrangling’, indications of relationship getting sour between the party chairman Pashupati SJB Rana and the chairman of the party’s parliamentary committee Biswo Bandhu Thapa are coming to the fore. Though Thapa denied supporting the King’s move, party sources labelled Thapa’s stance on the February 1 royal move as ‘significant’ that could invite wrangling within the party. A meeting of the party parliamentary committee had yesterday said “peace and elections are complimentary and the King himself has expressed commitment to hold elections.” “The committee’s move has enraged the party chairman,” sources said, adding the committee has ‘crossed’ its limits.

“It has no right to issue any statement or make such a political decision, its function is to select candidates during elections,” the source added reminding about the party’s official decision to take ‘middle path’ on the February 1 royal move. The source said the statement could be a pressure tactic to compel the party to ‘reform’ its decision and support the King’s move. Sources insist that majority of the party cadres are against the party’s decision. “They want the party to support the King’s move,” the source added. Talking to this daily, Thapa refuted the allegation as ‘rumours’ and reiterated his party’s stance of establishing peace and consensus between the King and the political parties. RPP central working committee member

Bhuwan Pathak said the party has already taken a ‘middle path’ to view the royal move. However, he said the party cadres at the grassroots have been demanding the party to cooperate with the King. Party chairman Rana could not be reached for comments.

Meanwhile, a day after the formal announcement of the Rastriya Janashakti Party by Surya Bahadur Thapa, RPP has expelled senior leaders in the Thapa camp, including Thapa himself, from the party. According to party joint general secretary, Khem Raj Pandit, the membership of the leaders joining Thapa’s new outfit has been dismissed. Those whose membership has been cancelled include Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani, Buddhi Man Tamang, Sarbendra Nath Shukla, Renu Kumari Yadav, Narayan Dutta Bhatta, Tshering Tenzing Lama and others.