RSP grapples with pro-monarchy allegations

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s political discourse is increasingly polarized. While pro-monarchy groups have intensified street protests, major political parties have shown unity in vehemently opposing such moves.

Pro-monarchy parties, including the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and RPP Nepal, have taken to the streets, demanding the restoration of monarchy-the institution they equate with “stability”, while like the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre) vehemently oppose the monarchy, branding it a relic of “autocracy and nepotism.” Madhes-based parties and smaller left parties have also aligned themselves with republican forces.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), a newcomer that claims itself an alternative political force, is facing scrutiny from both camps. While its leadership, including President Rabi Lamichhane, insists the party is pro-republic, rivals accuse it of harboring sympathy for the monarchy.

At a recent meeting of opposition parties, Maoist Centre Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal openly questioned RSP leaders — Are you truly republican? Sources present in the meeting told Himal Press RSP Vice President Swarnim Wagle replied — our party was born in a republic.”

Skepticism, however, persists as the party was not invited to a meeting of the republican forces held last week.

RSP leader Krantishikha Dhital feels older parties are threatened by RSP’s rising popularity. “They are trying to taint us seeing our rising popularity,” she said.

RSP leaders say people’s dissatisfaction is being reflected on the streets. RSP lawmaker Ganesh Parajuli said people don’t care about ‘-isms’, they are for development. “Youth are reeling with unemployment. They feel major political parties are making this system corrupt. That is why people are coming to the streets; it is the only way to express their dissatisfaction,” he added.

Parajuli said RSP doesn’t need to prove to anyone that it is a republican force. “We are always in favor of the republican system. What more is there to say,” he added.

The preamble of the RSP’s statute states that the party adheres to the “complete democratic republican system of governance”. It states that the party will build an “equitable and inclusive society through accountable, good governance based on democratic principles”

RSP Central Committee member Ganesh Karki urges critics to read the party’s documents to understand its stance on republicanism. “The RSP wants a fully democratic republican system of governance,” he said. “We have said it a thousand times—we need to change the situation, not the system itself.”

Meanwhile, party spokesperson Manish Jha accuses traditional parties of deliberately trying to paint the RSP as pro-monarchy.

Meanwhile, RSP is launching a “Janayatra” (People’s March) from Chitwan on April 6, aiming to channel people’s grievances into a reform agenda.

RSP Chairperson Lamichhane, who re-assumed party responsibility recently after a hiatus of nearly six months, is scheduled to address the inauguration of the march on Saturday.

According to RSP leader Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, the party targets to reach people at the grassroots level, targeting corruption, misgovernance and injustice.