KATHMANDU, Oct 15: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) concluded its nationwide “We Are Coming” campaign on Tuesday, facing pressure to address complaints about rising prices, leaders’ conduct and gaps in public services.
Launched in Dhadingbesi on October 6 (Asoj 20) and concluded on October 13 (Asoj 27), the campaign deployed lawmakers and central committee members across districts and municipalities. Backed by publicity, social media promotion and catchy slogans, it combined public outreach with preparations for local elections.
Participating leaders said citizens raised both everyday concerns and questions about political culture. Rising prices dominated discussions. People complained that the government had failed to contain steep price increases ahead of festivals or ease the burden on households.
Some also criticised visiting politicians for spending more time making speeches, promoting their views and directing government employees than listening to people’s problems.
Residents demanded regular contact, saying parties visited during elections but neglected them afterward. Others called for meaningful participation by women in party structures. Local representatives and residents said centrally designed plans often failed to reflect local needs, holding back development.
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The party outlined four objectives: understand everyday problems beyond election campaigns, strengthen local networks, narrow the distance between central authorities and citizens, and use public feedback to shape policies and election preparations.
Activities took three main forms. Public discussions and door-to-door visits gathered complaints and expectations. Training sessions explained the party’s “Candidate Club” and nomination process. Separate meetings with ward and municipal representatives, activists, women and young people collected suggestions on policy and organisation.
Lawmaker Buddhi Prasad Pant, also known as Hari, said the campaign ended differently in Salyan. Party members and supporters in Kalimati, Triveni, Kapurkot and Chhatreshwari complained that even routine problems remained unresolved because the district had no RSP lawmaker representing it.
They raised concerns about corruption and irregularities in local government, along with an unsatisfactory police and administrative response to illegal stone crushers.
Pant said he asked Chief District Officer Bandana Kumari KC to convene a meeting of district office chiefs. Held at the District Administration Office under KC’s chairmanship, it brought together officials from Sharada Municipality, the police, Nepal Electricity Authority and the infrastructure development office.
According to Pant, officials offered practical responses and pledged to address matters within their authority immediately, while referring others to the relevant ministries.
He also trained local party members on joining the Candidate Club and the stages of candidate selection. Assuring them that nobody would receive a ticket outside party rules, he urged them to build the organisation and explain the achievements of the party and government to voters.
Pant described the public meeting as a notable attempt to connect grievances directly with the administration and demand answers.
Political analysts see organisational expansion as the campaign’s primary purpose. It helped the RSP extend its presence into rural communities, train members and introduce its Candidate Club ahead of local elections. It also created space for debate on improving political practices.
Visits by central leaders and lawmakers allowed the party to gather complaints firsthand and receive development proposals, bringing its leadership closer to local communities.
But analysts and civic figures say the campaign’s value will depend on what follows. Public outreach must go beyond praising leaders or preparing for elections. Its purpose will be served only if the party uses Parliament and government to address the concerns it collected. Otherwise, it risks becoming another publicity exercise.
Tarai Madhes presents a further challenge. Some RSP leaders urged the leadership to understand the region’s distinct political and social conditions before drawing up plans. Their advice suggests the party’s reach and influence remain uneven across the country.
The campaign has given the RSP both an organisational opportunity and a record of public expectations. Its next test is to show that listening leads to action.