The RSP's leadership and intellectual support base must act decisively to salvage the party's deteriorating reputation
The 2008 American romantic fantasy drama film – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – featured a unique and captivating storyline. The film centres on a child who is born with the physical appearance and maladies of an elderly man and, in an extraordinary reversal of time, becomes progressively younger over time, and ultimately demises as an infant. This fictional story reflects the imaginative vision of its author, portraying a concept that is not possible in real life.
Comparing this plot to Nepali politics, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which presented itself as an alternative political force, achieved remarkable success in the 2022 general elections by securing 21 parliamentary seats and attaining the status of a national party straight away. In fact, within just six months of its establishment, the RSP rose to prominence as the fourth-largest party in the Parliament.
Unlike the Hollywood fiction discussed above, this was definitely not the curious case of Nepali politics. People were exasperated with the bad governance, state-sponsored corruption and underperformance of the existing mainstream political parties for more than three decades. Hence, the voters, especially in the urban areas, chose to vent their dissatisfaction through the ballot box. This trend was already visible during the local election held a few months earlier, previously politically unknown individuals claimed staggering victory in some of the major local bodies, including Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Dharan and Dhangadi sub-metropolitans.
The initial promising rise of the RSP has been marred by a series of controversies, including serious criminal allegations against its leadership. At the centre of these issues is the party's Chairman, Rabi Lamichhane, whose tainted past poses a significant challenge for the fledgling party. Lamichhane has incessantly faced accusations ranging from citizenship and passport forgery to an ongoing investigation into his involvement in the embezzlement of cooperative funds. However, his alleged misuse of cooperative funds is only the tip of the iceberg. It is evident that numerous leaders across major political parties maintain questionable ties with cooperatives. Should an impartial investigation take place, many prominent figures from various sectors would likely face the same scrutiny and consequences as Lamichhane.
The unwarranted uproar from the supporters of the RSP following the arrest of their chairman represents a significant obstruction to justice. It is disheartening to witness crowds clashing with state security forces in the serene streets of Pokhara, and even more troubling to hear provoking hate speeches from 'self-proclaimed' intellectual leaders of the RSP- a party that claims to champion the rule of law and good governance. Ironically, the RSP is failing to uphold the very standards it was founded on.
While the existing political parties are largely responsible for the country's decades-long chaos, the RSP has tragically squandered its opportunity to offer a genuine alternative. Over the years, Lamichhane has benefitted from undue favouritism by the state, while his former business partners at Gorkha Media Group have faced legal consequences, ranging from arrests to international red corner notices. Lamichhane's arrest is simply a continuation of this legal process. Disturbingly, even members of parliament, whose duty it is to uphold the rule of law, are now openly defying the state. This blatant disregard for legal norms points to a deeper issue within the state apparatus. In a well-functioning system, such illegal actions by parliamentarians and other RSP supporters would have been swiftly punished as clear obstruction of justice.
The current behaviour of the members and followers of the RSP suggests a growing sense of insecurity within the party's core group. Formed just months before the general elections, the RSP gained initial traction as a response to widespread dissatisfaction with established parties. This rapid rise attracted opportunistic individuals from various political backgrounds, who quickly integrated into the party's ranks. Additionally, many joined the RSP in hopes of accelerating their political careers, a process that tends to be slower and more challenging within larger, more established parties. This careerist influx has, in effect, contributed to the decline of a movement that was once seen as a beacon of hope for the nation.
Despite these challenges, the RSP's leadership and intellectual support base are notably strong, drawing from some of Nepal's most respected minds. This group must act decisively to salvage the party's deteriorating reputation-and, in the worst-case scenario, its very existence-as a promising alternative political force. Upholding the rule of law and allowing justice to take its due course is crucial for the party's credibility. While mob tactics might offer short-term benefits, history has shown that such strategies ultimately lead to failure. Any violations of the law will inevitably face consequences, if not immediately, at some point of time.
It is unfortunate that careerist politics is undermining what once seemed to be a promising movement for change. For any political force to thrive, its leadership must demonstrate patience, selflessness, and a readiness to sacrifice personal ambition for the greater good. The RSP's leaders and think tanks must recognise this reality, engage in honest self-reflection, and take swift action to prevent the party's premature demise. The RSP is no longer just a club of careerist politicians; with 1.2 million votes in the last election, it has become a public asset. Its collapse would represent a significant setback not only for the alternative political movement but for the entire country.
Dr Joshi is a senior scientist and independent opinion maker based in Germany
pushpa.joshi@gmail.com