KATHMANDU: A campaign style rarely seen in Nepali politics, the flying kiss, has recently been popularized by leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, drawing both attention and debate.
Party President Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balen Shah have been seen using phrases such as “I love you” and “Love you” while gesturing flying kisses toward supporters during election rallies.
Since the early days of the campaign, the two leaders have adopted the gesture in public gatherings to energize crowds and attract younger supporters. However, the trend has also led to enthusiastic backers crossing conventional boundaries of political decorum.
In some instances, supporters have attempted to kiss the leaders on the cheek, while others have tried to hug them or bow in reverence.
During an election event in Jhapa, a young male supporter kissed Balen Shah on the cheek, leaving the leader visibly embarrassed. Similarly, during a campaign program in Surkhet on Thursday, a woman in the crowd embraced and kissed Lamichhane amid a gathering. Lamichhane responded with an awkward smile as the incident unfolded.
Traditionally, leaders of political parties in Nepal have greeted the public with culturally rooted slogans and salutations such as “Jai Nepal,” formal greetings, or “Lal Salaam,” depending on party ideology and regional customs.
Observers note that the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s adoption of the “flying kiss” — a gesture more commonly associated with Western public culture — represents a departure from established political norms. The growing use of such expressions in rallies suggests a shift in campaign aesthetics, potentially setting a new cultural tone in Nepal’s evolving political landscape.
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