KATHMANDU: Dr. Toshima Karki, a central member of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has called on the party to launch an immediate reform process to bring about meaningful transformation.
Speaking on proposals presented by founding chair Rabi Lamichhane and acting chair DP Aryal, Dr. Karki stressed the need to restructure the party to better align with public expectations and democratic principles.
She highlighted that while RSP was founded with the objective of safeguarding democracy, upholding the republic, and promoting governance-based government, recent events and public concerns cannot be ignored.
Following the Gen-Z protests on September 8 and 9, Dr. Karki stressed that Nepal’s political landscape cannot remain stagnant and that political parties must break away from old structures to pursue comprehensive reforms.
“The brutal suppression under the previous KP Sharma Oli-led government led to the deaths of at least 72 people, injuries to more than a thousand, and widespread destruction, arson, and looting across the country,” Dr. Karki said. She added that the aspirations of Gen-Z, Gen-Alpha, and all other age groups, ethnicities, languages, and regions must be incorporated in shaping Nepal’s future.
Dr. Karki also noted that now is the opportune moment for RSP to review and restructure its leadership, principles, policies, and programs to build a moderate and effective political force capable of guiding the nation.
She urged the party to engage in dialogue with other political parties, intellectual groups, and independent actors to institutionalize the changes demanded by the Gen-Z movement.
According to Dr. Karki, the party must immediately address the grievances and expectations of all segments of society, including young people, minority communities, and citizens from all regions of Nepal, in response to the unprecedented losses and damage caused during the recent protests. She stressed that the country cannot return to its previous state and that political parties must embrace the positive changes demanded by these movements to reform traditional systems.
She further highlighted the importance of building a forward-looking political force that can effectively lead Nepal, stating that RSP should reassess and restructure its leadership, principles, policies, and programs to become a moderate political force capable of guiding the country in the present and the future.
Dr. Karki called for the immediate launch of a reform process and urged the party to work with other political actors, think tanks, and independent individuals to institutionalize the changes envisioned by the Gen-Z movement, thereby establishing a sustainable and moderate political path.
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