CPN-UML Concludes Rastriya Swatantra Party's Influence Has Decreased in Cities but Grown in Rural Areas

Kathmandu. The CPN-UML has concluded that the influence of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has decreased in urban areas compared to the previous election, but has increased in rural areas. UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel presented this conclusion based on the party's analysis.

Speaking at an interaction organized by Press Chautari Nepal in Kathmandu on Friday, Pokharel stated, 'The analysis shows that the RSP is not in contention in urban areas, especially Kathmandu.' Presenting the analysis done by the party's lower committees, he added, 'It might seem interesting and unusual to all of us. The analysis suggests that the RSP is not in the contest where it originated. However, its influence is found to have increased in rural areas compared to before.'

Pokharel mentioned that despite the increased influence of the RSP in rural areas, it is not at a winning level. Leader Pokharel also shared the analysis that the CPN-UML's main competition in this election will be with the Nepali Congress.

'We should not consider the Congress weak just because they are not visible in publicity; they are an old party and a silent party. Therefore, our competition will be with the Congress,' Pokharel stated. Pokharel also said that if the crowds seen when RSP leader Balen Shah visits various districts across the country are taken as the basis, then elections would not be necessary at all. He said, 'If we start analyzing that a crowd of four or five thousand is decisive in a place with 150,000 voters, then elections are not needed at all.'

Furthermore, he stated that while people flock to see someone who gains attention for the first time, the same crowd does not gather on the second visit. Pokharel also predicted that the RSP's votes would increase in rural areas and decrease in urban areas in this election.