After a falling-out with leader Surya Bahadur Thapa over the position of RPP chairman, Chand had reached the national election body demanding that he be recognised as the legitimate chairman of the party. The EC on Friday told both factions of RPP to go to the court, if they disagree with its decision.

Chand’s supporter Prakash Chandra Lohani said they are preparing to take the matter before the Supreme Court. Rivalry between Chand and Thapa reached a boiling point after Chand declared himself the new party chief while Thapa was still in the post. In May 2013, the senior party leaders had agreed to run the party on a rotational leadership basis.