Can a party built on monarchist roots survive in a modern republican landscape?
In short: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party remains a persistent force in Nepal, oscillating between power and internal fracture. Founded by former Panchayat-era leaders, the party has navigated decades of shifting alliances, royal coups, and ideological pivots. Today, it continues to advocate for a Hindu state, challenging the country's established republican framework.
Established on May 29, 1990, by former prime ministers Surya Bahadur Thapa and Lokendra Bahadur Chand, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party emerged from the ruling elite of the Panchayat era. Its history is defined by frequent splits and mergers, often driven by personality clashes and disagreements over government coalitions. By the mid-1990s, the party had secured its position as a significant parliamentary force, though its internal cohesion remained fragile. The party's trajectory shifted dramatically during the 2000s, a period marked by royal intervention and the eventual transition of Nepal into a republic.
The party's ideological evolution is particularly striking. While it initially supported a constitutional monarchy, it voted to abolish that very institution during the first session of the 1st Constituent Assembly in May 2008. Over time, however, the party pivoted back toward its roots, actively campaigning for the restoration of a Hindu kingdom. This stance has brought it into direct conflict with the Election Commission, which has repeatedly challenged the party's inclusion of pro-monarchy and Hindu state provisions in its statutes, citing the Constitution of Nepal.
Internal volatility remains a hallmark of the organization. The party has endured numerous splintering events, such as the 2005 formation of the Rastriya Janashakti Party and the 2006 creation of a royalist faction under Kamal Thapa. Despite these divisions, the party has shown a remarkable capacity for reunification, most recently bringing various pro-monarchist groups back under its umbrella. Under current chairman Rajendra Prasad Lingden, elected in December 2021, the party continues to navigate the complexities of Nepali politics, balancing its traditionalist platform against the realities of a secular, republican state.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Rastriya Prajatantra Party
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