RPP Reunion: Old Leaders, New Challenges

Kamal Thapa-led RPP Nepal is reuniting with the Rajendra Lingden-headed Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), with the formal merger set for December 31. The reunion reflects a familiar pattern in Nepali politics: parties split, leaders go their separate ways, yet many eventually return to their original fold. Thapa’s move is a classic example. Known as a strong-willed politician who likes to maintain control and work closely with those in power, Thapa led the RPP as a conservative, pro-royalist figure. However, he suffered a significant blow in December 2021 when Rajendra Lingden defeated him for party leadership. Feeling personally embarrassed, Thapa left the party, blaming former King Gyanendra Shah for his defeat. After the split, he revived RPP Nepal and experimented with new approaches. In the 2022 elections, he aligned with the UML—a move that left many of his old supporters bewildered and was widely seen as opportunistic. Ultimately, leaving the RPP hurt him more than it helped; his new party lacked visibility, street presence, and influence.