KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) placed a five-point set of conditions during Tuesday’s all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Sushila Karki to discuss the country’s political situation and the upcoming elections.
RSP Vice-Chairman Dr Swarnim Wagle and Secretariat member Sobita Gautam represented the party at the meeting, which was held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar from 4:15 pm to 8:30 pm.
During the discussions, the RSP outlined its stance on the prevailing political situation, the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5, 2026, and the government’s role in strengthening governance.
Government’s legitimacy questioned
The RSP said the government led by the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML had become a symbol of misgovernance and arrogance, particularly following the Gen-Z movement on September 8, which the party described as a massacre. It argued that both the government and the dissolved House of Representatives have lost their moral and political legitimacy, making a fresh public mandate imperative.
New elections within six months:
Referring to its appeal of September 11, the RSP reiterated that preparations for fresh elections must begin within six months to balance the need for a new mandate with the decisive intervention of the Gen-Z generation. However, the party also emphasized the importance of maintaining the stability of the National Assembly to prevent potential regression.
Conditional goodwill towards the Karki government
Describing itself as a party representing the voice of the Jan-G generation, the RSP expressed goodwill towards Prime Minister Karki’s government, noting that their agendas on good governance align. However, it made clear that any support to the government would remain conditional and contingent upon its performance.
Governance and reform priorities
The RSP stated that a government formed to uphold good governance must continuously draw its legitimacy from the people. The party urged the government to prioritize five key areas: preparations for the upcoming election, anti-corruption measures, economic reform, acceleration of development projects, and balanced foreign relations.
Expectations from the government
The RSP called for an impartial investigation into the incidents of September 8 and 9, strengthening police morale through merit-based leadership appointments, ending political interference in the Election Commission, and taking institutional action on long-pending corruption cases. It also recommended implementing economic reform measures, introducing irreversible improvements in public procurement, and forming a credible commission to study constitutional amendments.
The party further proposed institutionalizing all-party dialogue with periodic involvement of civil society and the media, ensuring UN and friendly nation observation in the upcoming elections, and initiating a pilot voting programme for Nepalis living abroad.
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