The general convention of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is underway in Chitwan. The party will elect a new policy and new leadership from the general convention. There is widespread interest in the leadership to be elected and the policies to be adopted by the first general convention of the country's largest party. In this context, Sobita Gautam , a leader and Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs who has been associated with the RSSP since its inception, was interviewed by DP Upadhyay , Jaisingh Mahara and Gaurav Pokharel for Kantipur:

The first general convention of any political party plays an important role in determining its future. The policy the party adopts, the leadership it selects, and the people who come to the leadership level determine the party's ideas and character. In such a context, what are your expectations from the general convention?

We started our journey with the campaign for alternative politics on 7 Asar 2079. Moving forward from alternative politics, we have reached mainstream politics today. Although the journey was short, we got the opportunity to experience a lot during this period. We experienced parliamentary practice, we also experienced the streets. We are not originally people who came from the street movement. Our belief was in ideological debate, we came to politics with the aim of reaching the people with different ideas. Amidst all these experiences, the people expressed their belief that the various political developments in the country needed the RSVP in the mainstream. Due to which we have reached this point today.

As a founding central member, it is both a matter of pride and fortune for me that the party has reached this point in such a short time. When starting a new party, everyone wants to reach mainstream politics one day. But those who start it do not know how long that journey will be. The goal is clear, but it is not certain when that goal will be reached. That is why we walked with the determination to move forward by working hard continuously. Reaching this point so quickly is a matter of pride for all of us. Looking back now, in a short time, the foundation from which we started our journey has become much broader organizationally. But from an ideological perspective, there is still a lot of work to be done. We need to work harder in many areas, from party schooling to ideological training.

The first general convention is now taking place. My expectation is that this general convention will establish the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a mature political party. I believe that the leadership will also be selected accordingly. Looking at the enthusiasm seen across the country and the participation of representatives, I think the party will select capable leadership. Ravi Lamichhane will lead us as the president. Apart from that, I expect that other capable leaders will be selected and contribute to making the party stronger and more effective.

The RSSS calls itself a new political force, but the representation of women, Dalits and marginalized communities within the organization is still low. Only two women and one Dalit have been elected as district presidents. The first general convention will change this picture, will inclusion be limited to your slogans?

Our view is clear on whether to make office bearers representing only a particular class, community or gender or to ensure inclusive representation through proportional quota. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has made inclusive thinking its ideological basis from the beginning. The core character of our party is to include all classes, communities and marginalized groups in the mainstream. Wherever possible, we have tried to ensure inclusive representation. But there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to the grassroots level. As I said before, we are weak in schooling.

The party has expanded rapidly, and the number of members has also increased. But if we do not systematically train our friends who come to politics with understanding and awareness, there is a possibility that some aspects will be left out. So the challenge now lies in grassroots organization, schooling, and capacity building. With the party building, we are now paying more attention to that. At the higher level, we have practiced as much inclusion as possible. From the cabinet to various responsibilities within the party, we have tried to include all communities, including Dalits, Badi communities, women, different sexual and gender minorities.

The question is not only the government's, but also the party's. After the first general convention, will the leadership structure reflect the country's social diversity, or will inclusion be limited to quotas again?

It should be made, we are working on it. Our effort is to make the party structure as inclusive as possible. It is not possible to say what the final structure will be like right now. But we are committed to conducting an open and inclusive practice that includes all communities when the leadership is selected. We are also sensitive to this issue.

The general convention passes not only the upcoming policy and leadership, but also the statute. It seems that women are being given responsibility only in the posts of 'Deputy/Co' to include them in the leadership. So, will you include a provision in the statute to ensure inclusive leadership in executive posts or not?

We raised this issue in the Central Committee meeting. Women's representation will not be limited to 'Deputy' only. All other posts are open. But our view is that women's participation should be ensured through reservation. There has been a detailed discussion on the issue that that provision should be included in the statute. The Chairman has also clearly stated that he is committed to this issue. All friends agree with this.

In the case of women, there must be at least 33 percent representation as ensured by the constitution. But there has been a debate within our party as to why only 33 percent should go towards 50-50 or 51-49 representation. There has also been a view that more representation should be ensured according to the proportion of the population. Most friends support this.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has received about 5.2 million votes. Looking at the public opinion, it is clear that Madhesh, women and the new generation have great support. But when it comes to the issue of leadership and distribution of posts, why does the party seem hesitant to bring those communities forward?

That is not the case. We started the party with 21 people and have come this far in a short time. Such a large public opinion was beyond our expectations, it is the people's great trust and confidence in us. That is why in the initial years, our attention was more focused on the vision of state governance and the agenda of alternative politics. We accept that there were some weaknesses in the organization building. Time was also short.

Even now, we have come from an ad hoc structure. Only after this first general convention will the party get a permanent and mature structure. After that, we have a clear commitment to institutionalize inclusivity, women's leadership and representation of marginalized communities and create a mature and inclusive leadership. The leadership level is also clear in this.

There is also a lot of interest in your own candidacy on the eve of the general convention. For which position are you running?

It is not the time to talk about it now. Right now, we are only general convention representatives. Then there will be the candidacy of the central member and only then the process of selecting office bearers will move forward. Everyone must be doing internal preparations. But I believe that responsible leadership should make its views public only at the right time. My priority now is to move the party in the right direction. I am running for office bearers, and we should work to take the party to the right place. Since I have been providing leadership since the beginning, I will announce it at the right time.

Does the RSVP select the leadership from the general convention by consensus or does it adopt a democratic method?

The democratic method of selecting leadership includes both elections and consensus. Without someone's will, consensus cannot be reached. The method of reaching a consensus is also democratic. Elections are also democratic. What we are all clear about is that it is better to select the leadership by consensus as much as possible because this is the first general convention. As soon as the election is held in the first general convention, one side wins and the other loses. I am of the opinion that since it is the first general convention, it is better to include everyone in a consensus and make everyone happy and accept everyone. Other leaders also have a similar opinion on that. If a situation of consensus is not created, then we will have to go to the elections, and the RSVP is open to that too. It is not that it should be like this, but it is better to have a consensus in selecting the leadership.

There is a provision that the candidacy fee starts from 21 thousand rupees, critics also comment that the RSVP is a party of the rich looking at this fee. How do you see it?

Our aim is to break the old practice of running the party by collecting donations from businessmen. Our policy is that the party should run from its own resources. All the activities of the party since the general convention are transparent. We have made all the details public on the website. The candidacy fee is also a part of that. The party has also made arrangements to manage it if someone shows financial inability.

The first general assembly after the party registration was also held in Chitwan, and now the first general assembly is also being held here. What does this mean for you as an elected MP from Chitwan?

In a way, Chitwan is no less than the birthplace for the party. I think the chairman had put forward the idea that the party should be formed from here. Chitwan also has a slightly greater role in the overall process of party formation. We announced the party in Kathmandu, but the first assembly after that was held in Chitwan. Since then, we have mostly held the first assembly in Chitwan. I am very proud that the first general convention can be held here. My constituency is also connected to this. I feel even more proud when leaders, ministers and representatives from all over the country come here. Kathmandu was always the center of politics, but now Chitwan has become the center of politics. This has made me very happy.