Dr. Swarnim Wagle Dominates RSP Vote: Elected Top Central Committee Member with 2,656 Votes

Dr. Swarnim Wagle has emerged as the top vote-getter in the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) central committee election, securing 2,656 votes during the party's first national convention held in Chitwan. The Election Commission officially announced his victory on Thursday, confirming his status as the highest-voted candidate after tallying votes from both domestic and overseas party committees.

A Historic Victory for Nepal's Leading Economist

Wagle, who currently serves as Nepal's Minister of Finance and holds the position of vice-chair in the RSP, has long been a prominent figure in South Asian economic policy. His candidacy for the central committee was announced earlier this month, drawing significant attention from delegates across Nepal and the party's international branches.

"This result reflects the strong trust the party has in my leadership and vision for Nepal's economic future," Wagle stated following the announcement. His background includes serving as Chief Economic Advisor at the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, and he currently chairs the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), a leading South Asian policy think-tank.

Strong Domestic and International Backing

The vote-counting process began immediately after polling concluded earlier in the day, with delegates from within Nepal and representatives from RSP's overseas committees providing notable support. Wagle's victory underscores his growing influence within the party, which recently elected Rabi Lamichhane as chair in a two-phase leadership election.

At the convention, Wagle also presented a political-economic report proposing the abolition of the provincial assembly system and advocating for term limits codified into Nepal's Constitution. He suggested that the Nepali Congress should lead a national movement to institutionalize these reforms.

What This Means for RSP and Nepal

With 99 central committee members to be elected, Wagle's top position signals a shift in the party's internal dynamics. As Finance Minister since 2026 and a Member of Parliament from Tanahun-1 since 2023, his dual role in government and party leadership positions him as a key player in Nepal's political landscape.

His election marks a milestone for the Rastriya Swatantra Party, signaling confidence in his economic expertise and political vision as the party moves forward with its national agenda.