RSP's General Convention Adopts 'Social Democracy' as Guiding Ideology

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) concluded its first general convention in Chitwan, held from June 21 to 23, 2026. Delegates voted to drop the previously proposed "constitutional socialism" from the party's founding documents, replacing it with "social democracy" as its official political doctrine.

Party chairman Rabi Lamichhane said the constitution should be treated as an evolving document rather than a fixed ideological framework, making "constitutional socialism" an inappropriate label for the party's doctrine.

The convention was marked by repeated schedule changes, accommodation shortages, and visible factional tensions, prompting many delegates to leave Chitwan before proceedings concluded — meaning the final leadership decisions were made by fewer than half of the original delegate strength.

Lamichhane was nonetheless re-elected as party chairman. Analysts say the outcome offers a clearer sense of the young party's internal structure and ideological direction going forward.