CHITWAN: Outgoing General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti has withdrawn his candidacy for the executive post at the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s (RSP) first general convention, leaving eight candidates in the fray.

His withdrawal follows the failure of an intense, eight-hour consensus effort led by Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane.

Originally, 11 aspirants had lined up after securing high popular votes in the Central Committee.

Burlakoti had earlier criticized fellow contenders for refusing to step down without promises of alternative roles, though he ultimately chose to exit the race himself.

With Burlakoti, Shisir Khanal, and Jagadish Kharel out of the running, the battle for the single General Secretary post is now down to Pramod Neupane, Rajunath Pandey, Manish Jha, Ranju Darshana, Ganesh Karki, Ganesh Parajuli, Sagar Dhakal, and Bipin Kumar Acharya.

Meanwhile, voting has been delayed as the Election Commission finalizes technical reviews, causing severe frustration among delegates who have waited six days in scorching heat, leading many to return home before ballots could be cast.

For the remaining office-bearer slots, Rabi Lamichhane and Swarnim Wagle have been elected unopposed.

A direct high-profile contest is set between Toshima Karki and Sobita Gautam for female Vice Chair, while 11 candidates are competing for two open Joint General Secretary positions and 5 women are vying for the female Joint General Secretary seat.