Remarkable Journey from 21 Seats to 182 Seats in Three and a Half Years
Summary: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) entered the parliament in 2082 BS by winning 182 seats. By centering its election campaign on digital platforms, the party achieved an unprecedented number of votes. The collaboration between Chairman Ravi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah played a significant role in increasing the party’s popularity and expanding its organization. Kathmandu, 12 Chaitra. On 22 Magh 2079 BS, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Ravi Lamichhane clearly stated, ‘We will run this party without taking anyone’s leftovers. In the next election, we will work with the goal of becoming Prime Minister, not just Deputy Prime Minister or Home Minister.’ Lamichhane had previously served twice in the government as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister in the then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda)-led government, after winning 21 seats in the 2079 BS House of Representatives including by-elections. However, he lost all his posts due to citizenship issues. Afterward, he stepped away from the government and announced his intention to become Prime Minister in the subsequent elections. The RSP had declared the ‘Mission 84’ plan, but due to the Janajati movement, the elections were held on 21 Falgun, 2082 BS. Without waiting for the 84 seats targeted, RSP won 182 seats and took their oath in parliament on Thursday. Chairman Lamichhane is not contesting for Prime Minister himself. However, as he mentioned, the RSP has reached parliament to lead a government close to a two-thirds majority.
Established in Ashad 2079 BS, the RSP conducted a campaign in just over three and a half years that secured an unprecedented number of votes, surpassing established parties like Congress, UML, and NCP. First, let’s revisit the RSP’s background. Founded in 2079 BS, the party faced legal challenges over its name and election symbol (the bell) right from the start. Chairman Lamichhane recounted at an orientation that the party and its members were protected despite various attacks. ‘This party was targeted from its inception. Legal cases were filed against the party’s name. People tried to crush it at birth, but we safeguarded it. Attempts were even made to destroy the party’s election symbol. We protected it from established parties, vested interests, and power groups,’ Lamichhane said.
Initially, the party had limited financial and human resources. Conducting an international-level campaign by physically reaching all 77 districts would have cost billions, which was not feasible in the 2079 BS elections. As a result, the party could not contest everywhere, fielding candidates in only 111 constituencies. ‘This was beyond our capacity. So, we saw the emerging digital age as an opportunity and decided to focus our entire campaign on the digital domain,’ recalled Co-General Secretary Bipin Acharya.
The RSP opened accounts on all social media platforms including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and a website. The party concluded that forging a close relationship with the electorate via digital platforms was essential. ‘Hashtags like #RastriyaSwatantraParty linked all our content digitally on a single thread. Even ordinary reactions from tea shop patrons were turned into content. People considered the campaign as their own,’ Acharya explained. The RSP adopted a policy of not boosting content through paid promotion and focused on producing organic content, which made the party appear trustworthy to voters. ‘While older parties treated digital media lightly, we made it the center of our campaign,’ he added.
Another key factor was Chairman Lamichhane’s popularity. ‘We transported the chairman to various parts of the country and connected activities there with citizens through visual content. We employed impactful tools such as drone footage and mobile flashlight videos to enhance the visual message,’ Acharya said. Lamichhane was known to record and promote videos of his candidates even at 1 a.m., which helped secure 21 seats both in direct and proportional elections. ‘In the previous elections, we could have won not 21 seats but a two-thirds majority. The people gave a chance to the new entrants and an opportunity for the old parties to reform. The voters exercised their wisdom,’ said Lamichhane.
Even after 2079 BS, RSP maintained digital activism. Issues raised in parliament were promptly presented via video. The leaders made their social media pages reliable sources of information. ‘A mobile app was launched to conduct a ‘Primary Election,’ initiating the practice of digital democracy,’ Acharya added. The digital election campaign that began in 2079 BS had spread throughout the political landscape by 2082 BS, helping the party expand from 21 seats to 182 seats.
Moreover, many candidates lost tickets this time. Multiple factors contributed to the victory.
Unity and Popularity of Ravi-Balen
The partnership between RSP Chairman Ravi Lamichhane and then Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah added new vigor to the 2082 elections campaign. ‘This sent a message to rise above personal prestige and unite for the country, which the people enthusiastically embraced,’ Acharya said. ‘Both decided to come together under one umbrella beyond individual reputation and a political magic number.’ Although Lamichhane had the possibility of becoming Prime Minister, he prioritized country and citizen-centric politics. The popular Balendra Shah’s involvement energized the party further. ‘The people accepted the combination of these two influential personalities. It showed that politics is not for personal benefit, but for nation-building. The trusted individuals standing on the same platform was the strongest aspect of 2082,’ Acharya stated. The party also gained momentum in the Madhesh region, according to leaders.
The People Became the Message Bearers
In the 2082 elections, alongside Ravi-Balen, citizens became chief carriers of the campaign. ‘Nepalis living home and abroad spread the party’s messages via social media to the grassroots. In some places, our message arrived even before we did,’ Acharya said. ‘Nepalis abroad called, saying, ‘‘Vote for the bell symbol.’’’ This time the campaign slogan was “Chupchap Ghantima Chaap” (Silently Vote for the Bell), which reached door-to-door, with dissatisfied voters from Congress, UML, Maoist, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and Madhesi parties also voting for the Bell symbol. RSP operated a targeted 24-hour ‘war room’ for campaign purposes. The organizational structure was strengthened down to the ward level. The messages reached local levels through technology and family networks. The central team used AI technology to produce digital content. The ‘war room’ also provided technical support to candidates. Videos, profiles, and AI-generated election songs were made for 163 candidates. Even though the party did not provide direct financial support, it assisted with content development. ‘The structure that started with five to seven people in 2079 BS has now grown to a team of 50-60 experts,’ said Organization Department Secretary Shankar Shrestha. The team also included former security officials and specialists. Different strategies were adopted for remote areas with less internet and electricity access. ‘We engaged in honest dialogue about the system change. One candidate’s innovative approach was easily adopted by others,’ Acharya remarked. According to election commission guidelines, no vote canvassing was done before the official period. ‘We collected public suggestions and prepared a fact-based manifesto that made citizens feel directly connected to the campaign,’ he added. Morning walks and Facebook Live direct interactions also created a positive impact. ‘These cost-effective but efficient campaigns offered a distinct political culture, different from traditional noise. The RSP wanted action, not just speeches,’ Acharya said.
Manifesto and Citizen Contract
The manifesto was prepared with citizen input. ‘It was not only in black and white but presented via videos and attractive designs by some candidates,’ Acharya mentioned. The concept of a citizen contract clearly outlined plans to the public, which contributed to the party’s rise. Though digital media was important, candidates’ fieldwork was decisive. ‘Door-to-door outreach, face-to-face dialogue, and active local levels played a crucial role,’ said General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti. ‘While the central office provided materials and coordination, the efforts at the local level were the real deciders.’
Balendra Shah Declared Future Prime Minister
RSP fielded Balendra Shah as the prospective Prime Minister in the election. The joint campaign of Chairman Lamichhane and senior leader Shah won the hearts of voters from east to west. ‘The Chairman’s proposal to make Balendra Shah Prime Minister sent a positive signal,’ said General Secretary Burlakoti.
Candidate Selection and New Faces
Careful attention was paid to selecting candidates able to win 182 seats. ‘Integrity was demonstrated in candidate selection to strengthen public hope. Priority was given to youth, energetic, educated individuals with new ideas. Both long-time political actors and new capable faces were given opportunities,’ Burlakoti said. The party also gave tickets to prominent leaders from other parties including Congress, UML, Maoists, RSP, and Madhesi parties. ‘We aimed to include those dissatisfied with old parties and seeking change. We incorporated alternative political groups, activists, and youth to send a strong message,’ added Organization Secretary Shrestha. Leaders of the Tharuhat movement also joined the RSP.
Organizational Expansion to 76 Districts and 300,000 Members
Though no organizational expansion took place in 2079 BS, by 2082 BS the party had spread to 76 districts and had an active central committee of 91 members. ‘Organizations have been established in all seven provinces. Committees have been formed in approximately 460 local municipalities, with processes nearing completion in 100 more,’ General Secretary Burlakoti reported. At the ward level, organizations have expanded to nearly 2,500 wards, with preparations underway in an additional 1,500 wards. There are currently around 250,000 online members. Adding offline members, total party membership is close to 300,000. This organizational growth helped facilitate victory.
Constituency Classification and Strategy
The party analyzed constituencies before the election, grouping them into strong, moderate, and weak categories to develop tailored strategies. ‘Various committees were formed at central, provincial, district, and constituency levels,’ Organization Secretary Shrestha explained. Under Deputy Chairman D.P. Aryal, a 51-member committee managed the work. Special committees for security coordination, media management, and internal coordination were also active. ‘Tasks ranged from fact-checking to crisis management. Proportional candidates, central members, and departmental members served as election coordinators in various areas,’ he added.
Signature Campaign Garnered 4.2 Million Signatures
While Chairman Lamichhane was imprisoned over a cooperative case, the party ran a signature campaign denouncing political retaliation, collecting around 4.2 million signatures. ‘The signature campaign was the real preparation for the election. Without it, RSP wouldn’t have risen,’ said leader Pramod Nyaupane. The party secured about 1 million votes more than their proportional votes, totaling 5,146,681 votes. ‘Although not publicized, internal meetings discussed treating this as an electoral campaign,’ Nyaupane added. Lamichhane believed political retaliation increased votes; while imprisoned, he told close associates, ‘The more they retaliate against me, the more votes I get.’
Background of the Janajati Movement
The elections occurred against the backdrop of the Janajati movement on 23 Bhadra. Many leaders from this movement contested under RSP. The movement demanded good governance and an end to corruption, which RSP also highlighted in its election agenda. Post-movement, public dissatisfaction with old parties increased. ‘Disillusionment and frustration with old parties pushed voters toward new alternatives, resulting in votes for RSP,’ said General Secretary Burlakoti. The party won 125 direct and 57 proportional seats, totaling 182. However, votes were lower in areas with limited internet and weaker organization. ‘Especially in remote regions like Karnali with less internet access and weak structures, the impact was limited. Geographic difficulties and entrenched old structures posed challenges there,’ Burlakoti explained.
With such an unprecedented number of votes, RSP is committed to nation-building. ‘Old parties made Nepali people wait 34-35 years; you won’t have to wait even 36 months or 36 days. Have confidence in this,’ Chairman Lamichhane cautioned the newly elected members.
