Kathmandu, December 26
Associates of Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) and Rastryiya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane have become active to bring the ongoing talks between them to a conclusion.
Asim Shah, Asif Shah, and Kumar Ben, who facilitated two rounds of talks between Rabi and Balen, have begun preparations for another round of discussions aimed at drafting a detailed framework of agreement.
According to information obtained by Onlinekhabar from sources close to the talks, the dialogue is expected to reach a conclusion by Friday night. They said that an announcement of either party unity or cooperation will be made immediately.
Close aides say that in the unified party, Balen will be ranked just below Lamichhane in seniority. Lamichhane is also said to have reaffirmed his earlier commitment to make Balen prime minister in the first phase.
Sources claim that a basic agreement will be reached on this very point.
Earlier, after failing to see progress in talks with Rabi, Balen had intensified meetings at his associate Kumar Ben’s residence in Jawagal, seeking support for the Desh Bikash Party, which he is close to.
Balen had reportedly been displeased after Lamichhane presented issues discussed during the Kamalpokhari meeting on the night of December 22 in a different manner publicly. When Balen began consulting others, saying he would move forward under the banner of the Desh Bikash Party, Lamichhane was alarmed.
In the meeting between Lamichhane and Balen that lasted until Thursday afternoon, discussions focused on a possible unity process, including the party name, election symbol, and candidate ratios.
Lamichhane proposed that since there are already many aspirants within RSP, a proportional candidate list should be prepared in a 70–30 ratio, with room to adjust the numbers after further discussion.
Balen, however, is understood to have shown little interest in the exact proportional numbers. Kumar Ben, Asim Shah, and others are expected to work out the figures, which Balen would then endorse.
After emerging from the Jawagal meeting with Balen on Thursday, Lamichhane was asked by journalists whether it would be “the stick or the bell.” He replied, “Time will tell.” However, since the RSP’s election symbol, the bell, is already widely popular, it was clarified that Balen would not have difficulty moving forward under that symbol.
As talks between Lamichhane and Balen appeared to be heading toward tension, colleagues pressured both leaders to reach an agreement without delay.
Although another round of talks was scheduled for Thursday evening, it could not take place, as Balen held a separate meeting with Kulman Ghising. With no direct dialogue yet established between Lamichhane and Ghising, Balen has taken responsibility for bringing Ghising and other influential figures together.
RSP leader Asim Shah, who has long maintained close ties with Balen, said discussions are heading toward a positive conclusion.
“It’s not appropriate to say at this moment what issues are close to agreement. Many things are still under discussion, and we are working to bring them to a common ground,” Shah said, Onlinekhabar. “But unity among new political forces is also the sentiment of Gen Z. Respecting this sentiment, we are moving forward. You will hear a positive message soon.”
