Rastriya Swatantra Party to Formalize New Government Formation After March 21

Kathmandu. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set to begin the formal process of forming a new government only after Chaitra 5 (mid-March). Following the nearly two-thirds majority secured in the House of Representatives elections held on Falgun 21, the party's top leaders are engaged in internal preparations for forming a single-party government.

However, RSP leaders stated that they cannot formally begin government formation preparations as the proportional representation (PR) members have yet to receive their certificates.

“The Election Commission has just finalized the PR members. We will move forward with the government formation process once the Election Commission concludes all election-related matters,” said RSP General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti. “Before the parliament convenes, we have organized a two-day orientation program for the elected members on how to play an effective role in the parliament. Only after that will the government formation process begin.”

Another leader and RSP Joint General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya stated that internal discussions regarding government formation are underway. “We are currently in internal discussions regarding government formation,” Acharya said.

Acharya added that after the Election Commission submits its final report on the elections, a Central Committee meeting will be held to finalize the parliamentary party leader. “After that, the formal process of government formation will move forward,” he said.

The Election Commission has scheduled a program on Chaitra 5, Thursday, to provide certificates to the 110 members elected through the PR system. Immediately after distributing the certificates to the PR members, the Commission will submit the election report to the President.

“The formal path for government formation opens once the Commission submits the election report to the President,” said another RSP official. “Much of the internal work is already being done, but we cannot disclose everything at this moment.”

According to the system where the parliamentary party leader becomes the Prime Minister, the RSP must first select a parliamentary party leader to make senior leader Shah the Prime Minister. RSP Spokesperson Manish Jha stated that the RSP is preparing to make some amendments to its bylaws for this purpose.

“The bylaws need to be amended for the process of appointing the parliamentary party leader. We have to wait for the Central Committee meeting for this,” Spokesperson Jha said. “We have held internal and informal discussions on this.”

Jha also urged against any doubt regarding making Balen the party leader. “Let's clarify one thing. We are responsible; we have not forgotten our commitment. Do not harbor suspicions that something might go wrong,” Jha clarified on Chaitra 1, following rumors that the RSP was delaying the appointment of Balen as the party leader.

According to RSP leaders, internal preparations are underway to form a new government under the leadership of senior leader Balendra Shah (Balen) by the second week of Chaitra.

Discussions have been ongoing among Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, senior leader Shah, Vice Chairman Dr. Swarnim Wagle, and DP Aryal regarding the structure of the future government, who should be appointed as ministers, and what tasks should be initiated immediately after the government is formed.

“As per the agreement that Chairman Lamichhane will lead the party and senior leader Shah will run the government, leaders are discussing the size and modality of the government,” a leader close to Balen told Ratopati. “In line with the consensus among top leaders, Balen Shah's entire focus is on forming a good team.”

According to that leader, Shah wants to include individuals in his cabinet who can work in a manner consistent with his working style. “Balenji's view is that capable and competent members who can work in line with his working style should be included in the team,” the leader said. “Inclusion and geographical representation must also be considered.”

RSP leader Bhupdev Shah, close to Balen, stated that since leaders are engaged in internal preparations for forming the new government, no decision has been finalized regarding who will be a minister, who will be assigned which ministry, or whom to include.

“No decision has been made on whom to include in the cabinet,” he told Ratopati.

According to RSP leaders, the government to be formed under the leadership of the RSP, which received nearly a two-thirds mandate in the elections, will include leaders capable of addressing the expectations of the people in the cabinet. “Our government will focus on addressing people's expectations as the first priority and maintaining good governance,” RSP Vice Chairman Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal said on Tuesday during the orientation program for newly elected members. “Even though the party won the election, the country and the people still have victories to achieve.”

Aryal stated that the new government and parliament must work in a way that makes every Nepali feel, “The government exists for me,” by ending corruption. He emphasized that the great success in the election was due to the hope, trust, and confidence the public placed in Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balen Shah, and stressed the need to utilize this opportunity to write history for the nation.

According to RSP leaders, the party has already given permission for Balen to proceed with forming a lean and results-oriented cabinet that can address the mandate of the Gen Z movement and public expectations. Accordingly, preparations are underway to select ministers based on certain established criteria. Leaders mentioned that discussions have also taken place regarding the structure of the ministries, as the RSP mentioned 18 ministries in its election manifesto.

RSP leaders indicated that while Vice Chairman Dr. Swarnim Wagle is almost certain to be the Finance Minister in the government led by Balen, the decision on who will head crucial ministries like Home Affairs, Defense, and Foreign Affairs is being finalized through discussions between Chairman Lamichhane and Shah.

However, names circulating for the Home Minister portfolio include Vice Chairman DP Aryal, Raju Nath Pandey (who won from Kathmandu-3 and is considered close to Balen), and Bishwaraj Pokhrel (who won from Okhaldhunga). Aryal and Pokhrel are known to be close to Chairman Lamichhane, while Pandey is known to be close to Balen.