Q&A: Why abolishing provincial assemblies isn’t as simple as RSP thinks

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is actively pushing for significant constitutional amendments, including the controversial proposal to abolish Nepal's provincial assemblies. This aggressive stance has ignited a national discussion about the future of the country's federal structure and the practicalities of such sweeping changes.

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It is quite immature to be making such declarations at this stage.

Constitutional experts, however, point to substantial hurdles. Purna Man Shakya, a leading constitutional expert, describes the proposal to scrap provincial assemblies as "immature" given the RSP's limited time in central government and lack of experience with provincial governance. More critically, he highlights a major practical obstacle: the constitution makes abolishing provinces nearly impossible without the consent of the provinces themselves, a scenario he deems unlikely.

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The constitution itself makes it nearly impossible to abolish the provinces without the consent of the provinces themselves.

Furthermore, the RSP faces an ethical quandary. With local elections scheduled for 2027, the party must contest elections for assemblies it aims to eliminate. Shakya questions whether the RSP would be willing to "sign their own 'death warrant'" if they win a majority, suggesting they might downplay this agenda to avoid appearing hypocritical. This creates a significant tension between their anti-establishment rhetoric and the practical demands of participating in the existing political framework.

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How can a party run for seats in a provincial assembly while simultaneously campaigning on the agenda that the assembly should not exist?

Beyond the provincial assemblies, the RSP advocates for a directly elected executive and empowering High Courts. Critics, however, warn that these proposals could disregard constitutional safeguards and potentially foster a political culture that prioritizes individual leaders over institutions. There is a risk, they argue, that the RSP could become the very authoritarian entity it claims to oppose if it stifles internal competition.

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Would they be willing to sign their own ‘death warrant’?