In Nepal, a fledgling political outfit gives traditional parties a run for their money

When Swarnim Wagle, an economist and former vice-chairman of Nepal’s National Planning Commission, announced on March 30 that he was quitting the Nepali Congress, it came as a bombshell for many political watchers. “How it can change the Nepali political landscape is yet to be seen, but it has definitely made a forceful entry; a promising start.” Days after the by-elections, the RSP withdrew its support for the Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ government, leaving many, including legal experts, scratching their heads if the Prime Minister needs to go for a floor test once again — for a third time since he was elected on December 25. Warning to traditional parties “As I have said even in public forums that the RSP’s emergence is a warning to traditional parties in Nepal, even if its rise is attributed to public frustration,” said Minendra Rijal, a former Minister and central member of the Nepali Congress party. But still, the RSP has yet to make a name for itself as a political outfit, as many still recognise it as ‘Rabi’s party’— or just as “the bell”, the party’s election symbol. “We believe in liberal democracy; our goal is social justice, fighting corruption, ensuring economic growth, and generating employment.” He claimed the RSP’s rise has led to a paradigm shift in Nepali politics.