RSP under scrutiny

Quickly and publicly accepting its recent mistakes and taking corrective measures will be a sign of strength.

The Rastriya Swantra Party (RSP) is undeniably creating a buzz as the country inches closer to March 5 snap polls. All signs are that it is giving a tough time to traditional parties with decades-long histories and deep-rooted pan-Nepal organisations. The popular image it has built is based on promises of reform of the flawed political culture that the established parties have long practised. However, several activities of the four-year-old party in the run-up to the elections reveal a big gap between its rhetoric and actions. Candidate selection through primaries was a major differentiator for the RSP compared with the other parties where the leadership took the nominations as their prerogative. But this time, the RSP high command is facing allegations from the party rank and file that it is monopolising the selection process without internal competition, despite raising Rs25,000 from each aspirant for tickets.