Why Nepal’s new political darling is losing its spark

Nepal's political landscape has been dramatically reshaped by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), an ideologically unanchored entity formed in 2022. It emerged from widespread public anger and frustration with long-serving politicians who failed to deliver, offering a stark contrast to the established parties like the Nepali Congress, UML, and Maoists. The RSP captivated the public with its fresh faces and a promise of change, resonating particularly with the middle class in both urban and rural areas.

The party's momentum was further amplified by a "Gen Z revolt" in September 2025, which, despite resulting in bloodshed and significant economic loss, underscored the public's demand for political reform. This movement created an opening for the RSP, though its own ideological fragility limited its ability to fully capitalize. The entry of Balendra Shah, the popular mayor of Nepal's largest metropolis and a member of the Madheshi community, as the RSP's prime ministerial candidate proved to be a masterstroke. His candidacy, seen as a challenge to the entrenched gerontocracy, propelled the RSP to a landslide victory, winning 182 of 275 House of Representatives seats.

However, the initial euphoria surrounding the RSP appears to be fading as the party struggles to address the pressing economic concerns of its core supporters. The Nepali middle class, which forms the backbone of the RSP's support, is increasingly vocal about rising commuting costs, rent, fuel prices, and the daily struggle for essential goods like cooking gas. The article suggests that the RSP, despite embodying middle-class aspirations, is failing to meet these fundamental needs, raising questions about its ability to translate its political success into tangible improvements for its constituents.