Kamal Thapa was elected as chairman of the united Rastriya Prajatantra Party on Monday, securing a landslide victory over his competitor Pradip Bikram Rana at its first General Convention. Out of 3,136 votes cast, Thapa garnered an overwhelming 89 percent or 2,804 votes against Rana’s 251, while 81 votes were invalid.

Thapa, who enjoys a strong hold in the party, was expected to win the election against a relatively unknown Rana.

Party’s senior leader Prakash Chandra Lohani, who had announced his candidacy to deny Thapa a unanimous election, withdrew from the race fielding Rana as the candidate from his faction instead.

Even those in the Lohani camp knew from the onset that they were fighting a losing battle against Thapa. Their only takeaway from the convention was they forced the voting process.

“We fielded Rana in the election as we wanted to test Thapa’s popularity,” a leader from the Lohani camp.

However, as the election results showed Thapa consolidated his position even in the new party which was formed after the merger between the former RPP and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal.

“I will never let you down,” Thapa said to his cadres after the victory.

“My sole aim will be to make the RPP the largest party in the country.” With 37 seats the party now is fourth largest force in Parliament.

The voting for the Central Working Committee will be held only on Tuesday. As many as 363 have filed their candidacy for 96 positions in the CWC. Party chairman will nominate 27 office bearers and remaining members in 161-member strong Central Working Committee. According to party Chief Whip Dilnath Giri, the voting process will begin on Tuesday morning and electronic voting machines will be used for the purpose.