Final negotiations underway as Rastriya Swatantra Party moves to form new government
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is finalizing the selection of ministers for the new government led by Balendra Shah. As of now, some ministerial portfolios have been confirmed, while others are still under negotiation. RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane is currently engaged in the final consultations regarding those positions that remain undecided. Shah is set to be sworn in as Prime Minister on March 27, the same day on which a streamlined Council of Ministers is anticipated to be established.
The RSP is discussing the formation of a cabinet consisting of 15 to 18 members, adhering to their election manifesto pledge to keep the ministry count at a maximum of 18. Party leaders express a consensus on this limitation, with consideration given to merging certain ministries in order to maintain a compact cabinet. There is also a strategy to retain some leaders within the secretariat in reserve to support RSP operations.
Regarding ministerial discussions, it appears likely that Balen Shah will oversee the Ministry of Defence in addition to his premiership duties. Vice-chairpersons DP Aryal and Swarnim Wagle are almost confirmed as ministers, with ongoing talks about assigning them to key ministries such as Home, Finance, or Physical Infrastructure. Sunil Lamsal’s name is being proposed for the Physical Infrastructure portfolio.
Shishir Khanal, head of the party’s international relations department, is being considered for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sobita Gautam’s name is also in contention for either the Health or Law Ministry, as well as for the position of Speaker of Parliament. Former Communications Minister Jagdish Kharel and Pratibha Rawal are similarly being discussed for the Speaker role, with Kharel’s candidacy extending to the Communications Ministry.
Sudan Gurung is under consideration for the Youth and Sports Ministry, while Manish Jha is being suggested for Tourism or Communications, with an alternative proposal also including him for Youth and Sports duties. As these discussions progress, multiple names for ministerial positions are still being evaluated, but definitive decisions have yet to be reached.
In an election held on March 5, RSP secured 125 seats under the first-past-the-post system and an additional 57 seats through proportional representation. With a total of 182 seats in the House of Representatives, the party is poised to establish a robust government with a near two-thirds majority.
