The election process has now begun after the political, economic and organizational reports were presented in the closed session of the National Independent Party (NISP) general convention that began on Tuesday afternoon. Chairman Rabi Lamichhane has been unanimously elected as the chairman. Elections are being held for 99 central members. Then, elections will be held for office bearers. Focusing on this issue, a brief excerpt from a conversation between Kantipur TV's DP Upadhyay and Shishir Khanal, the leader of the National Independent Party (NISP), who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs: The party election process has begun. Chairman Rabi Lamichhane has been elected unopposed. How do you take it? The honorable Prime Minister himself was the proposer of party chairman Rabi Lamichhane. This confirms that we brought various political groups into the National Independent Party through the pre-election adjustment process. Perhaps now this election and our historic first general convention have created an environment to integrate everyone into one party. The party president has certainly become unopposed. Through that process, we have all been included in this party started by party president Ravi Lamichhane. We have seen his sacrifice and struggle recently. In the way he has sacrificed himself and given us all a space, it is not surprising that he is unopposed. The Rashtriya Swatantra Party has been accused of not being ideologically clear. Has the political report made that clear?

From the beginning, there were accusations that the idea of ​​the National Independent Party was not there. However, I have always said in interviews that we have been on a clear ideological ground from the beginning. 

Political parties keep amending some of their issues, especially through the general convention. But our idea of ​​respecting the current constitution and 'changing the situation, not the system' was clear from the 2079 election campaign.

In that sense, our ideological ground was basically clear. The preamble of the Jaleshwor meeting had also made that clear. Today, I have an opportunity to clarify it further.

Now let's move on to your candidacy. What is your candidacy?

In the first phase, I have filed my candidacy for an open central member. If I get the opportunity in the second phase, I am preparing to file my candidacy for the post of General Secretary.

If you become the General Secretary, what improvements can you make in the organization?

While being in the party for the last four years, I have been involved in everything from the party's policies and ideas to the role of adjusting various groups and parties before the previous elections. I think that in the first phase, the party completed the establishment phase. Now it is time to institutionalize it. The time has come to strengthen the methods, procedures and institutional structure, and I have seen that work needs to be done.

Basically, now it is time to not only expand the organization, but also to deepen and strengthen it. My previous role and my background have also given me experience in that. In that sense, I feel that I can contribute to the party.

Other ministers are asking for votes by showing the work of the ministry. What are you asking for votes for?

I think I will also show my work. While leading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is my main responsibility to maintain the image of Nepal and Nepalese around the world and protect Nepal's national interests.

In that sense, it is a very sensitive and important ministry. For the last two and a half months, I have been working by prioritizing Nepal's national interests. I think the activities I have done have contributed to Nepal's image and prosperity in a short time.

The party has become very big in a short time. What should be the priority now?

The party was formed in Asad 2079, elections were held in Mangsir. When the elections were held in a short time, the party's structures had not been formed much. Nevertheless, we became the fourth largest party with immense public trust. After that, along with the parliamentary role, the party also remained in an executive role for some time.

Basically, the expectations and attraction of the general public towards the National Independent Party increased based on our parliamentary role. That also played a role in the expansion of the party's organization. Now the organization has become very large. We have also received historical support in terms of votes.

Looking at all this as a whole, we have expanded the organization a lot in a short time. But now it is time to move from numbers to quality. For that, the first priority is to strengthen the party by focusing on internal training, internal methods, internal systems, and the upcoming local and provincial elections.

What is your request to the party's general convention delegates?

My request to all the delegates here in Chitwan and abroad is that now is the time to institutionalize the party. I expect you to vote for the leadership that can institutionalize it.

Basically, now we have to move from numbers to quality. We are also in the government. Therefore, we must work effectively. We are in a position to fulfill the expectations of Nepal and the Nepali people by keeping the party and the government on the same path. Therefore, elect a leadership that can contribute to the life of the party tomorrow and can truly step into the parliamentary and governmental roles of Nepal.