Rastriya Swatantra Party marks six months in power with nationwide campaign

The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Nepal has marked six months in power with two distinct developments. The party has announced a nationwide campaign starting October 6 to visit all 753 local units across 77 districts. This initiative aims to engage citizens regarding the government’s performance, policy initiatives, and future plans ahead of upcoming local-level elections. The campaign will also outline the party’s candidate selection process, which utilizes mechanisms such as a “Candidate Club” and a “Leadership Academy.”

However, the government’s tenure has faced criticism regarding its governance style. Observers have raised concerns about an increasing trend toward authoritarianism and the use of arrests against businessmen and bankers on what are described as weak grounds. Notably, former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana was reportedly arrested without a warrant and released the following day without formal charges being recorded.