Dhawal Shamsher Rana and Durga Prasai’s New Party Poised to Play Influential Role for Monarchists Similar to RASWPA

Expelled from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), leader Dhawal Shamsher Rana has decided to collaborate with Durga Prasai to form a new political party. While many are curious about the future of this new formation, Rana remains cautious, stating, “We cannot predict what will happen. We will remain loyal and honest toward the people, the country, and our cause.”
Leader Rana concluded that advancing the cause of monarchy restoration was not feasible within RPP due to the leadership style, which he identified as the main obstacle. Responding to this, RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden accused Rana of working with individuals lacking party affiliation to undermine the movement for monarchy restoration.
Lingden’s criticism pointed to the violent incident in Kathmandu’s Tinkune on Chaitra 15, 2081 BS (circa April 1995), which resulted in two deaths. Following the monarchist demonstrations, the government arrested Rana, Prasai, and Rabindra Mishra on serious charges. Rana and Prasai are now progressing toward establishing their new political party. According to former Deputy Chairman Mukunda Shyam Giri, due to poor leadership styles, “there is now a situation where leadership with principled thinking and survival-focused mindset must form a new party.”
Youth leader Ranjan Karki states that Rana will serve as party chairman and Prasai as senior leader. Currently, Walendra Shah ‘Balen,’ now prime minister, is collaborating with RASWPA Chairman Ravi Lamichhane as a senior leader ahead of the upcoming elections. Karki adds, “RPP was understood as a legacy of former Panchayat leaders; we are restructuring it. We are building a technology-friendly party with 60 percent participation of youth and women at all levels.”
Could This New Party Become an Alternative to RASWPA? When RASWPA was formed, its leadership appeared distinct from the veteran politicians of parties like Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN. The party’s structure incorporated diversity in business expertise, age, and regional representation. Does the new party led by Rana and Prasai aim to present a fresh face for monarchists similar to RASWPA?
Mukunda Shyam Giri believes RASWPA had aspirations to advance the country but fell short of its goals, highlighting the need for an alternative political force. However, they are prepared to embrace many changes. Youth leader Karki notes there is a void within right-wing political forces that their new party intends to fill, positioning themselves as a monarchist party reflecting aspects of RASWPA. “RASWPA is a strong republican party, but we are building a national right-wing party that will challenge it,” he says.
“Our goal is to protect religion, culture, and history while promoting the rise of both monarchy and democracy,” says Rana. “We will give our maximum effort; if the Nepali people support us, the future will be bright, otherwise it is inevitable.” According to RPP leader Rajaram Bartola, Rana is clean but appears to lack political stability. Bartola expresses concerns about the longevity and organization of the partnership with Durga Prasai, noting that fluctuations in their relationship carry significant implications.
He does not dismiss the possibility that the new party could have a substantial impact within the monarchist and Hindu votebank. “People are looking for a new flavor, but it depends on how much they can win hearts,” he says. “Durga Prasai enjoys a form of popularity, and efforts to transform that into effective political power are not necessarily wrong.”