Kathmandu, June 4 -- Nepal's royalist opposition party, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), has formally split after months of internal conflict, with a faction led by General Secretary Dhawal Shamsher Rana announcing its departure from the party on Thursday.

A total of 183 leaders and members, including several senior figures, have quit the RPP. Those leaving alongside Rana include Vice-chair Mukund Shyam Giri, former minister Dilnath Giri, leader Keshav Raj Shrestha, and Work Execution Committee member Narayan Prasad Koirala. Sagun Sundar Lawati, whose responsibilities as party spokesperson had previously been revoked, has also left the party.

Most of those resigning are members of the party's central and provincial committees.

Spe...