Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warmly congratulated Nepal on wrapping up its parliamentary elections without major hitches. Taking to social media platform X, he lauded the vibrant democratic spirit shown by Nepali voters.
‘Warmest congratulations to the people and government of Nepal on the successful and peaceful elections. Delighted to see Nepali brothers and sisters embrace their democratic rights with such zeal,’ the Prime Minister posted.
Modi highlighted this as a landmark achievement in Nepal’s path to democracy. As a close friend and neighbor, India stands ready to partner with Nepal’s populace and incoming administration to foster peace, development, and shared prosperity.
Election trends in Nepal point to a dramatic rise for the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The party, spearheaded by popular Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah and founded by journalist-turned-politician Rabi Lamichhane in 2019, has clinched 60 seats by evening.
A major shocker comes from Jhapa, where former PM KP Sharma Oli, a two-time winner from the constituency, lags behind by a massive 43,000 votes. Analysts predict Oli’s loss and Shah’s triumph as near certainties. The other 110 proportional representation seats hinge on party vote percentages across the country.
This unexpected surge of RSP underscores growing voter disillusionment with traditional politics in Nepal. With counting ongoing, the final tally could redefine alliances and policies. India’s proactive outreach via PM Modi reinforces the strategic importance of stable Nepal-India ties amid regional dynamics.