Nepal party proposes non-partisan National Assembly, directly elected executive

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has put forth a proposal to reform Nepal's governance structure, suggesting the National Assembly be converted into a non-partisan chamber composed of experts, with the Vice President serving as its chairperson. This idea was presented by party president Rabi Lamichhane during the party's general convention.

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The RSP supports a directly elected executive with stable leadership and clear accountability.

Lamichhane's political paper also voiced support for a directly elected executive, emphasizing accountability and stable leadership. The proposals come at a time when a government panel is already working on a discussion paper for constitutional amendment. Lamichhane stressed that any constitutional revision should be a national endeavor, guided by the country's long-term needs and democratic practices, rather than the agenda of a single party.

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The basis for constitutional amendment now should be good governance, stability, representation, and citizens’ interests.

"The basis for constitutional amendment now should be good governance, stability, representation, and citizens’ interests," Lamichhane stated, advocating for broad national dialogue, expert input, and consensus. He argued that the RSP consciously avoids traditional left-wing or right-wing classifications, instead adopting practical, rational, and reality-driven approaches. The party seeks to balance private sector growth with the state's responsibility to guarantee basic healthcare and education for all citizens.

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We are neither traditionally left-wing nor right-wing, and we have consciously chosen not to confine ourselves within that political polarisation. Instead of rigid ideological boundaries, we prioritise practical, rational, need-based, and reality-driven approaches.

Lamichhane addressed criticisms that the RSP lacks an ideology, asserting that the party's documents demonstrate a commitment to social justice and practical utility. He explained that the party's stances might appear "right-wing" when advocating for market freedom and "left-wing" when supporting workers' rights and social security, reflecting a balanced, mixed approach to governance tailored to Nepal's context.

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Encouraging startups, private enterprise, and market freedom may not look left-wing, but supporting workers’ rights, minimum wages, and social security guarantees may appear so.