KATHMANDU: As the Rastriya Swatantra Party-led government’s first 100 days in office come to an end, lawmakers from the ruling party have begun publicly expressing dissatisfaction with its performance.
Several MPs have criticized Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s leadership and the government’s working style, adding to growing scrutiny from both within and outside the ruling coalition.
The government has faced criticism over its handling of key issues, particularly its failure to effectively address the problems of squatters and allegations that it has favored certain groups while sidelining others.
Opposition parties have also questioned the government’s stance on major constitutional issues, including federalism and the future of provincial governments, accusing it of relying on populist politics rather than offering clear policy direction. While criticism from the opposition was expected, concerns have intensified after ruling party lawmakers themselves began raising similar issues.
Several ruling MPs—including party leader Ranju Darshana, Krantishikha Dhital, Jagadish Kharel, Tek Bahadur Shakya, Ashika Tamang, Purushottam Yadav, Amaresh Kumar Singh, Ramesh Prasai, Madhu Kumar Chaulagain, and Prakash Pathak—have voiced concerns both inside and outside the House of Representatives.
Their criticisms range from the government’s handling of landless settlers to its response to constituency issues, farmers’ concerns, labor rights, public service delivery, and regional development. Some lawmakers have also expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s proposal to abolish provincial assemblies and its lack of a clear position on federalism.
Opposition steps up criticism
On the other hand, opposition parties have intensified their attacks on the government, arguing that its performance has fallen short of expectations.
“The prime minister himself appears to have acknowledged shortcomings, particularly in the management of landless squatters,” the minister said.
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) parliamentary party leader Gyanendra Shahi said in an interview with Khabarhab that the governing style of Prime Minister Balendra Shah resembled that of CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. Likewise, Nepal Communist Party MP Balawati Sharma accused the government of engaging in political vendettas, while Shram Sanskriti Party General Secretary and MP Aren Rai questioned whether the government would be able to complete its five-year term.
Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader Bhishma Raj Angdembe also delivered a strongly worded speech in the House of Representatives on Monday, urging the prime minister not to “forget the ladder after climbing it” and warning against prioritizing popularity over governance. His remarks drew significant attention, and several lawmakers appeared to express quiet support.
Angdembe also criticized the government’s much-publicized 100-point governance reform agenda, saying that while it offered some grounds for optimism, its implementation had been disappointing.
“Looking at the implementation of the government’s 100-point governance reform agenda, there may be some room for hope, but it would not be an exaggeration to say that it is like an elephant’s tusks,” he said.
“The reforms remain on paper, transparency is lacking in practice, good governance is confined to speeches, and selective implementation has replaced democratic commitments. The public was given hope, but the results have been disappointing.”
Meanwhile, speaking in the House, Shram Sanskriti Party leader Harka Sampang warned that any attempt to weaken federalism, inclusion, or secularism through constitutional amendments could create further political instability.
During his remarks, several lawmakers from the ruling party appeared sympathetic to his concerns. RPP leaders Gyanendra Shahi and Khushbu Oli also argued that the government’s 100-point programme offered little hope and largely consisted of routine administrative measures rather than meaningful reforms.
Why have ruling party MPs started speaking out?
Political analyst Indra Adhikari says the growing criticism from ruling party lawmakers reflects frustrations that had been building since the government took office. According to Adhikari, MPs were initially reluctant to question the government because they had surrendered much of their independence and prioritized protecting the government over exercising their constitutional role.
However, as public dissatisfaction increased, lawmakers began facing pressure from their own constituents and felt compelled to voice their concerns.
During the government’s first 100 days, most ruling party MPs publicly defended its decisions, often insisting that the administration was on the right track. But as several key commitments remained unfulfilled, that unified stance began to weaken.
Delays in addressing the problems of landless settlers, fertilizer shortages, power outages, youth employment, and policy uncertainty over federalism and provincial structures, along with controversies surrounding Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s remarks on Nepal-India border issues and disagreements among ministers, have contributed to growing unease within the ruling party.
Although the new government initially generated optimism, its inability to deliver on many of its early promises has prompted criticism not only from the opposition but also from its own lawmakers.
Signs of internal dissent first emerged when MP Amaresh Kumar Singh skipped the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s general convention in Chitwan, citing dissatisfaction with both the government and the party. Other leaders, including Purushottam Yadav, have since echoed similar concerns, urging the party to adopt a clear position on federalism, secularism, and proposals to abolish provincial governments.
During Monday’s House of Representatives meeting, several ruling party MPs openly highlighted shortcomings in the government’s performance. Ranju Darshana urged the government to address the plight of landless settlers and communities displaced by monsoon flooding, arguing that affected families had been neglected.
Tek Bahadur Shakya criticized the government’s failure to control rising prices of essential goods, warning that people living in border areas were bearing the brunt of inflation.
“Our historical social, cultural, and economic ties with India remain strong,” Shakya said. “But today, the people living along the border who have long safeguarded these relations are anxious and deeply concerned because of rising prices.”
MP Jagadish Kharel also delivered a pointed speech, arguing that the dignity of lawmakers must be respected alongside that of the prime minister. He warned against the return of what he described as an unhealthy bureaucratic culture, saying that any system capable of undermining elected representatives could ultimately weaken the government itself. His remarks drew visible support from several ruling party MPs and prompted reactions from opposition lawmakers.
Privately, a number of ruling party legislators have indicated that the government may struggle to complete its term unless it becomes more responsive to public concerns.
After the 100-day milestone, RSP lawmaker Krantishikha Dhital also publicly criticized the government’s handling of landless settlers through a Facebook post, arguing that a welfare-oriented state should have acted with greater compassion, planning, and accountability. She described the government’s response as evidence of institutional weakness and administrative failure.
Meanwhile, RSP lawmaker Jwala Sangraula questioned the appointment of Siddhilaxmi Byanjankar—reported to be the sister of a close adviser to Prime Minister Balendra Shah—to the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Development Committee.
While reaffirming the party’s commitment to ending nepotism and family-based appointments, Sangraula said such appointments naturally raise public concerns and undermine the party’s stated principles.
More ruling MPs question the government’s performance
Ruling party MP Khagendra Karna also criticized the government’s performance, particularly in the education sector. He argued that the government had failed to address key structural problems, including political interference in schools and the shortage of qualified leadership.
“The number of students enrolling in community schools continues to decline. According to the Ministry of Education’s 2082 report, more than 40 percent of community schools do not have full-time principals. Why has the government failed to address this?” Karna asked.
He further argued that community schools have suffered for decades because of the continued reliance on temporary teachers recruited under relief, contract, and private funding schemes rather than through permanent appointments made by the Education Service Commission. He alleged that political patronage and non-transparent recruitment practices have weakened the quality of public education.
MP Ramesh Prasai also questioned the government’s disaster response, referring to the recent accident on the Karnali Highway. Although he had previously expressed concerns about the government’s performance through symbolic remarks, Prasai directly asked whether authorities had fully mobilized available resources for rescue operations.
“Following the recent Karnali Highway accident, did the government utilize all of its capacity for rescue operations? Are the opposition’s allegations of negligence toward people stranded on the cliffs true?” he asked.
Similarly, MP Madhu Kumar Chaulagain sought an update on the investigation into the alleged Rs 11.7 million procurement irregularity involving machinery purchased by the Dairy Development Corporation, asking what action the government had taken so far.
MP Ashika Tamang also reiterated her dissatisfaction, saying the government had failed to deliver on the mandate it received from voters. She questioned the progress made in creating employment opportunities for Nepali youth, saying she had expected more after the party entered government.
Government admits more work is needed
Speaking to Khabarhub after the government completed its first 100 days, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal acknowledged that both Prime Minister Balendra Shah and cabinet ministers believe more needs to be accomplished. While defending the government’s overall performance, he said limited financial and administrative resources had constrained its ability to deliver faster results.
“We are moving in the direction we intended,” Khanal said. “Many of the commitments under the 100-point agenda have already been completed, while others are in the process of implementation. We have made meaningful progress, particularly in promoting good governance.”
He added that the government’s initiatives were beginning to improve public service delivery and claimed that people in his constituency had responded positively to its work.
Asked whether the prime minister was satisfied with the government’s performance, Khanal said Shah views the progress positively but recognizes that greater effort is required.
“The prime minister is pleased with the progress achieved so far, but he is also committed to working harder,” Khanal said. “Both the prime minister and the cabinet have realized that additional effort is needed, and that remains their shared commitment.”
No meeting between prime minister and party chair after 100 days
Despite the government completing its first 100 days in office, Prime Minister Balendra Shah and National Independent Party President Rabi Lamichhane have yet to hold a formal meeting.
According to a cabinet minister, Lamichhane is also dissatisfied with aspects of the government’s performance, although he believes progress has been made in several areas.
“The prime minister himself appears to have acknowledged shortcomings, particularly in the management of landless squatters,” the minister said.
As dissatisfaction grows within the ruling party itself, the government’s ability to respond to these challenges will likely shape public confidence in the months ahead.
“During a cabinet meeting, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to distributing land ownership certificates within 1,000 days. He has instructed ministers to work in ways that address public concerns.” The minister also suggested that the prime minister may consider reviewing the performance of some cabinet members.
No discussion on changing the prime minister
In recent weeks, speculation has emerged over the possibility of replacing the prime minister because the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s statute allows the party president to change the parliamentary party leader if necessary. However, senior party leaders insist that no such discussion is taking place.
“The provision exists in the party statute, but the public gave Balendra Shah a mandate to serve as prime minister for five years,” a leader close to Rabi Lamichhane said. “There has been no internal discussion about replacing him. The constitutional provision is simply an internal party mechanism.”
The leader added that while many supporters continue to look to Lamichhane for leadership, the party is not interested in returning to the kind of power politics it had previously criticized.
Mixed assessment after 100 days
Although the government has faced increasing criticism from both the opposition and its own lawmakers, observers acknowledge that it has also made progress in several areas during its first 100 days. Backed by a near two-thirds majority of 182 seats, the Rastriya Swatantra Party-led government has sought to strengthen good governance and improve public service delivery, issues that formed the core of its electoral mandate.
However, its record has been mixed. While the government has projected a reform-oriented image and taken steps to improve governance, it has struggled to address several pressing concerns, including the management of landless squatters, rising prices, and other public grievances. As dissatisfaction grows within the ruling party itself, the government’s ability to respond to these challenges will likely shape public confidence in the months ahead.
Comment