Analysis of Rastriya Swatantra Party's Rise and Potential Pitfalls

In the political history of Nepal after the democratic movement, two events attract special attention. First, the unprecedented rise of the then CPN (Maoist) in the 2064 Constituent Assembly elections, and second, the recent rapid popularity of the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

The basis of both these events is the public dissatisfaction with traditional political forces and the aspiration for change. When the public expresses disappointment with old political forces, they are attracted to new forces. However, history has shown that forces that cannot manage the opportunity given by the public properly and become infected with the old political diseases over time can fade away as quickly as they emerge.