KATHMANDU, Jan 10: Former Ujyaalo Nepal Party (UNP) patron Kulman Ghising has officially returned to lead the party as chairman after breaking away from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
Kulman reclaimed his party and its iconic election symbol—a lit bulb—less than two weeks after an unsuccessful unity attempt that had sought to position the combined force as a strong alternative in Nepal’s political landscape.
Immediately following the split, Ghising was declared chairman by a central committee meeting of the Ujyalo Nepal Party, succeeding Anup Kumar Upadhyay.
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The rupture with the RSP stemmed from disputes over leadership positions, proportional representation seats and broader organisational issues. Under the unity deal, Ghising was to serve as vice-chair of the RSP, subordinate to Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, the party’s prime ministerial candidate, and second-in-command to Chairman Rabi Lamichhane.
RSP leaders claimed the breakdown arose from multiple demands by Ghising, including claims to the vice-chair and general secretary posts, requests for more proportional representation seats than agreed, proposals to change the party’s name, a half-term prime ministerial arrangement, and Ghising’s firm stance on communism.
Speaking at a press conference later in the evening, Ghising rejected allegations that he had bargained for positions during the unity deal, calling such claims a misinterpretation. “There has been talk that we bargained for posts, which is untrue,” he said. “I had accepted a low-ranking vice-chair position and was even willing to remain an ordinary member if it preserved consensus. Our goal was always to implement the agreement in line with public aspirations for new political forces to work together.”
Ghising also cited delays in implementing the agreement and the absence of supplementary arrangements on key issues such as inclusiveness and federalism as factors contributing to the split. He said the RSP unilaterally announced the termination of the agreement, while his side had hoped to continue dialogue. “The 12 days after the agreement to unite were deeply painful for us,” he added.
The fallout has left the UNP internally divided. Second-ranked leader Dr Tara Joshi, along with more than 20 other central committee members, has opted to remain aligned with the RSP, sources told Republica.
