More than ten years after Nepal adopted federalism, the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s proposal to eliminate provincial assemblies has sparked discussions on the country’s federal setup. The party, holding a significant majority in the House of Representatives, backed a proposal for broad constitutional and governance reforms, including the removal of provincial assemblies, a key element of Nepal’s federal system.
The party’s document advocates various reforms, such as directly electing the Prime Minister, preventing Members of Parliament from becoming ministers, non-partisan local governments, reducing the number of local units, restructuring federalism by abolishing provincial assemblies, and enhancing transparency in political party financing. Additionally, the party’s President supports restructuring provincial assemblies and governments.
The proposed changes coincide with Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s consultations with political parties and stakeholders on potential constitutional amendments. While some RSP leaders downplay concerns, emphasizing that the document reflects the party’s stance rather than a definite plan for constitutional amendments, others within the party express reservations.
The RSP’s proposal faces opposition internally, with one lawmaker cautioning against any interference in democracy, federalism, and inclusiveness. Critics argue that the proposal contradicts Prime Minister Shah’s previous assurances to uphold Nepal’s federal republican framework. The move has drawn criticism, particularly from Madhes-based political parties that played a pivotal role in Nepal’s transition to federalism.
