Kathmandu, August 18
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has said party members who have been actively working since its formation are more likely to receive tickets to contest the upcoming local-level elections.
Lamichhane made the remarks while launching the application process for the party’s ‘Rural Municipality Candidate Club’.
He said those who have remained active in the party from its early days would have an advantage in the candidate selection process.
“We have not forgotten those who faced cases, were beaten, abused and humiliated while carrying the bell,” he said.
Lamichhane also sought to reassure existing party workers that they should not become discouraged by the possibility of new faces receiving election tickets.
However, he said existing party members would have to make way if a more capable candidate came forward.
He added that the RSP would keep its doors open for “lateral entry” to bring in capable new faces.
“There is a possibility that someone exceptionally capable may come along, and it is true that many people have been prevented from joining the party because we were waiting to see whether such candidates would emerge,” Lamichhane said. “The Candidate Club will put an end to that practice.”
The RSP has opened applications from people interested in contesting local-level elections as representatives of rural municipalities.
In the first phase, applications have been invited for rural municipality chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, ward chairpersons and ward members.
The party expects to select 460 candidates for rural municipality chairperson and vice-chairperson positions through the process.
Applications have also been invited from those interested in contesting for 3,685 ward chairperson positions and 14,740 ward member positions.
