RSP fields Thapa amid polygamy controversy

KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) has officially nominated Dr. Lekhjung Thapa as its candidate for the Rupandehi-3 by-election, despite longstanding allegations regarding his polygamous relationships.

The announcement was made on Sunday, following the party’s primary elections held earlier in the week.

Thapa’s personal life has been a point of contention within the party.

Several senior party leaders had raised concerns over his multiple marriages, informing RSP’s imprisoned president, Rabi Lamichhane.

According to party sources, Lamichhane reportedly questioned Thapa directly, to which Thapa replied that he had legally separated from his first wife before entering into a second marriage.

RSP General Secretary, Kavindra Burlakoti, supported this claim, stating that Thapa’s second marriage followed a legal divorce from his first wife, and that his child from the first marriage remains under his care.

However, certainty regarding the divorce remains elusive.

Several doctors familiar with Thapa allege that he has continued to live with both wives simultaneously, suggesting no formal separation. Social media content, including a five-year-old YouTube video titled “Super Thapa Family” and recent posts by Thapa’s wives, appear to show him cohabiting with both spouses, challenging claims of a lawful divorce.

The nomination also comes amid allegations of procedural breaches during RSP’s primary election. Thapa reportedly attended a confidential party meeting wearing smart glasses capable of recording video and audio, despite strict rules prohibiting recording devices.

Party insiders allege that he captured footage of a strategy discussion, prompting formal complaints from other aspirants, including Sulabh Kharel, Madhup Prasad Aryal, Jeet Bahadur Gupta, Rachana Kshetri, Gyanu Paudel, Kusum Maharjan, Parthivendra Upadhyay, and Poonam Kumari Agrawal.

The complaint, addressed to the party’s Lumbini Province in-charge and central disciplinary committee, argued that Thapa’s actions violated party regulations and risked serious damage to both the party’s internal cohesion and members’ political careers.

Despite this, the Raswapa secretariat proceeded to endorse Thapa, citing his strong local support base and influence within the party hierarchy.

Insiders indicate that while Lamichhane initially favoured Kharel, other senior leaders—including acting president Dol Prasad Aryal and election commander Bipin Kumar Acharya—pushed for Thapa’s candidacy.

Provincial in-charge and election commander Acharya led the primaries and maintained strategic control over candidate selection.

This is not Thapa’s first involvement in electoral politics. In 2079 BS (2022–23), he appeared on the proportional representation list for the Lumbini Provincial Assembly under the Nagrik Unmukti Party (NUP), though it remains unclear whether his name was formally withdrawn before contesting the Rupandehi-3 seat.

His younger wife, Numa Sharma, had previously served as a member of the Lumbini Province Planning Commission under the same party.

With electoral registration deadlines approaching, debate continues within Raswapa over the suitability of a candidate whose personal conduct has sparked controversy.

Some party members have urged reconsideration, arguing that nominating such a contentious figure could undermine the party’s credibility and electoral prospects.

As of now, Dr. Lekhjung Thapa remains the official Raswapa candidate for Rupandehi-3, setting the stage for a by-election fraught with both political and ethical scrutiny.