The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) that was until recently opposed to any kind of alliance for the upcoming elections, has now opened the door for it.

As several new and alternative political forces have shown interest in joining hands with the RSP for the March 5 parliamentary elections, party acting chairman DP Aryal has proposed keeping that option open in his political document tabled in the party's plenum that kicked off in Chitwan on Friday.

“The RSP decided to keep open the option of forming electoral and operational alliances with other political parties and organisations for the elections,” said Aryal. However, he did not specify which parties or political forces the RSP might collaborate with.

According to party leaders, this option has been kept open mainly for possible cooperation with newly emerging political parties.

The RSP has long maintained a critical stance towards alliances among the old political parties.

The report emphasises, however, that any such alliance should not come at the cost of the RSP’s distinct identity.

Addressing the meeting, RSP Vice President Swarnim Wagle claimed that the party is going to sweep the next elections.

“The option remains open for cooperation and to form alliances, both during and in government formation, with independent individuals, groups, and political parties that share similar new and fundamental ideological principles. However, under no circumstances will the RSP allow its identity to be overshadowed in the name of electoral alliance.”

Likewise, on the governance model, the party has proposed an independent, non-partisan, and respected individual for the nation’s President, and the chair of the National Assembly for Vice President. Similarly, it has envisioned the National Assembly to be the Assembly of experts reflecting national unity, non-partisanship, and inclusiveness.

Aryal, in his report, proposed a directly elected executive.

“The prime minister will have the authority to choose ministers from among qualified and subject-expert Nepali citizens. Members of Parliament will have a legislative role only,” Aryal’s report says.

The party has also proposed restructuring federalism with a directly elected chief minister and five provincial ministries for each province, and empowered local governments limited to fewer than 500 in total, according to the report.

Aryal has also proposed improvements in the electoral system, abolition of the constitutional and judicial councils, restructuring of the judiciary, and offered to set up an empowered, resourceful, and politically interference-free anti-corruption body, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority. He has also proposed state grants to nationally recognised parties based on the proportion of votes they receive.

Aryal also raised concerns that some political parties have refused to acknowledge the existence of the RSP.

“The inability to accept the existence of the country’s fourth political party is not a political character. It is the result of envy and fear towards us,” said Aryal.

On the Gen Z movement, the party concluded that the actions of the old parties, anti-people activities, their exploitation of the state and corruption/mis-governance have fuelled frustration among youths.

“We repeatedly warned that if arrogance, pride and authoritarianism in governance increase through parliamentary arithmetic, then the rising anger among citizens will explode,” said the report.

“We state very clearly: the events of September 9 happened because of the state's highhandedness on September 8,” said the report, while calling for impartial investigation of both days’ events and prosecutions based on individual involvement and crime.

On the Sushila Karki government, the party said that it was formed with a limited six-month mandate to hold the House of Representatives election within the constitutional framework and with minimum acceptability. “The current government was born out of the compulsion of the situation, but it carries the mandate of that situation.” But the party has added that its support for the current ‘citizen government’ cannot be unconditional and eternal.

“From how the current government conducts itself against the politics of retaliation to how it advances good governance, ends impunity and handles election-related tasks — these will determine the continuity or disruption of our goodwill and cooperation. There is also a natural concern whether the prime minister’s reluctance to hold dialogue with certain leaders will widen the distance between those parties and the government. Since the government is the guardian of all parties, leaders and people, there must be absolutely no prejudice towards anyone in it,” said the report.

On alternative and new political forces, the party said that being the largest among them in terms of popular support, puts a responsibility on the RSP to integrate transformational parties, organisations, groups or individuals.

“We are fully aware and serious about that…but they did not believe it then. We still wholeheartedly welcome them now. But they must also understand this party’s history and identity. The desire to form a party is welcome; but we openly oppose the intention to take over,” said Aryal.

Aryal stated that RSP does not seek superficial or piecemeal change in the overall political, social and administrative system, but radical reform.

“We want broad reform in people’s mindset, the working style of the bureaucracy, the vision of political leadership and the entire governance system,” stated Aryal.

Amid calls for party reform, Aryal stated that the RSP is not in a position like the old parties that have faced or are on the verge of complete collapse, but added that “reform” is indeed needed.

“We are still in the process of partybuilding. From all directions, there is a concerted attempt to strike at the core leadership and destroy the party. If we fail to understand this, we will lose and the people will lose too. Therefore now is the time to establish leadership, not displace it.”