Nepal political transition and RSP governance

Nepal underwent a major political transformation following a youth-led uprising in September 2025. The movement, which began as protests against social media restrictions and expanded into a nationwide campaign against corruption, resulted in 76 deaths and thousands of injuries. This unrest led to the resignation of the prime minister and a shift in parliamentary power.

In the 2026 general election, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by Ravi Lamichhane, achieved a near-supermajority by winning 182 of the 275 House of Representatives seats. Balendra Shah, a key figure from the uprising, became prime minister in March 2026.

By September 2026, the RSP marked six months in power. The party launched a nationwide campaign to visit all 753 local units to discuss government performance and candidate selection for upcoming local elections. Despite these efforts, the administration has faced criticism regarding its governance style, with observers raising concerns about an “increasing trend toward authoritarianism” and the arrest of businessmen and bankers on weak grounds.