Nepal’s newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by former rapper Balendra Shah, is leading in early vote counting in the country’s first general election since mass youth protests brought down the KP Sharma Oli-led coalition government. Initial trends on Friday show the new party gaining a strong foothold in the capital region.
Former prime minister KP Sharma Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), or CPN (UML), is currently leading in five seats. The Nepali Congress, led by Gagan Thapa, is in third place with leads in four constituencies.
➤ Other major parties trail in early trends: The Nepali Communist Party led by former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as “Prachanda”, is leading in two constituencies.
➤ Meanwhile, the pro-monarchist Rastriya Prajatantra Party has taken an early lead in one seat.
➤ RSP claims first wins in Kathmandu: The party has already secured three seats in the capital region, although the Election Commission has not yet officially confirmed the results.
➤ Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has reportedly won from Kathmandu-8, Ranju Darshana from Kathmandu-1, and Ganesh Parajuli from Kathmandu-7.
RSP leads in majority of Kathmandu seats
According to early counting trends reported by the Kathmandu Post, the RSP is leading in 47 out of the 57 constituencies in the Kathmandu Valley. The performance suggests a strong public response to the party that emerged amid growing frustration with traditional political groups.Former prime minister KP Sharma Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), or CPN (UML), is currently leading in five seats. The Nepali Congress, led by Gagan Thapa, is in third place with leads in four constituencies.
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➤ Other major parties trail in early trends: The Nepali Communist Party led by former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as “Prachanda”, is leading in two constituencies.
➤ Meanwhile, the pro-monarchist Rastriya Prajatantra Party has taken an early lead in one seat.
➤ RSP claims first wins in Kathmandu: The party has already secured three seats in the capital region, although the Election Commission has not yet officially confirmed the results.
➤ Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has reportedly won from Kathmandu-8, Ranju Darshana from Kathmandu-1, and Ganesh Parajuli from Kathmandu-7.
