After the Verdict: How Might the Rastriya Swatantra Party Govern?
PODS by PEIMarch 24, 202600:59:44

After the Verdict: How Might the Rastriya Swatantra Party Govern?

The 2026 "March 5th Verdict" has reset the Nepali political landscape. With the traditional establishment pushed aside, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) now holds a near two-thirds majority. But the real question is no longer about the win—it's about the work.

In this episode, Nirjan Rai (Principal Advisor, PEI) and Saumitra Neupane (Executive Director, PEI) sit down with writer and political analyst Bishnu Sapkota to unpack how the RSP might actually govern. We dive into:

  • The "Rainbow" Challenge: Can a party of diverse ideologies maintain a cohesive institutional vision?

  • The Balen Shah Factor: Is Nepal shifting toward a de facto presidential style of leadership?

  • A Revolt Within Democracy: Why 2026 is a historic departure from the movements of 1951, 1990, and 2006.

  • Governance vs. Populism: What does "Alternative Politics" look like in practice?

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