KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader and Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has withdrawn his candidacy for the party’s General Secretary position during the first national convention in Chitwan.

Announcing his decision on Facebook just before the second phase of voting began, Khanal stated he stepped down to foster party unity, institutional strength, and a consensus-driven leadership.

This decision follows his strong third-place finish in Thursday’s Central Committee elections, where he secured 2,495 votes and initially staked his claim for the post.

Expressing deep gratitude to the national and diaspora representatives who supported him, Khanal noted that his withdrawal aims to pave a smooth path toward consensus for other candidates, promising to remain fully dedicated to strengthening the party’s future.