KATHMANDU: Allegations of aggressive and disruptive behavior by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) cadres and supporters have surfaced from several districts ahead of the elections. Reports indicate that campaigners are using psychological pressure, bell-ringing, and intimidating tactics against voters and rival party candidates.
Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balen Shah have reportedly delivered provocative speeches and stunts at rallies, which appear to have emboldened workers to act in an aggressive and intolerant manner. In Surkhet and Dhangadhi, Lamichhane urged supporters to overpower opposition parties, creating a tense environment at public gatherings.
On Thursday, RSP supporters disrupted opposition events in Dang and Achham. In Dang’s Tulsipur, a party worker reportedly set fire to a CPN-UML flag during Lamichhane’s rally. Similarly, in Gulmi, UML candidate Pradeep Gyawali and his team faced obstruction, with workers banging bells and shouting aggressive slogans to intimidate attendees.
In Achham 1, RSP activists disrupted the campaign of Nepali Communist Party (NCP) candidate Dr. Bhim Bahadur Rawal, ringing bells and creating chaos near the venue. Election campaign committee coordinator Sher Bahadur Kunwar stated that workers initially provoked crowds from vehicles using loud bells, aiming to disrupt proceedings. Police were later involved to maintain order.
RSP’s controversial bell-ringing tactics have a prior history. In Bara, activists reportedly pressured voters to support RSP under threat, with videos of coercion circulating online. Similar incidents of aggressive campaigning have been reported in Sunsari, where RSP leader Ashok Chaudhary labeled non-supporters as traitors, prompting resistance from youth and opposition party members.
Other examples include Lalitpur 2, where RSP candidate Jagdish Kharel reportedly insulted voters who questioned him, and Bardghat in Nawalparasi, where workers assaulted CPN (Maoist) candidates and activists during a campaign event. Victims included candidate Rajup Prasad Harijan and other local party officials. Arrests have been made in connection with the attack.
The cumulative incidents have raised concerns over escalating violence, intimidation, and potential disruption of the electoral process. RSP co-spokesperson Pratibha Rawal, however, has distanced the party from specific incidents, claiming they were not part of official party directives and calling for impartial investigations and immediate action against perpetrators.
Observers warn that such aggressive and unrestrained tactics by RSP workers could jeopardize peaceful campaigning, create voter intimidation, and threaten democratic norms if left unchecked.
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