Expedited Government Formation: Some Top Leaders to be Held in Reserve for Party Management
News Summary
Reviewed editorially.
- The Rashtriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) has accelerated preparations for government formation under senior leader Balendra Shah’s leadership on March 27.
- Raswapa has scheduled the oath-taking of newly elected parliamentarians on March 26 and the prime minister’s oath on March 27.
- Raswapa is preparing to appoint 15 to 18 ministries, with ministerial names expected to be finalized by the evening of March 26.
March 8, Kathmandu – The Rashtriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) has intensified its preparations to form the government on March 27 under the leadership of senior leader Balendra Shah.
Following the final election results of the House of Representatives held on February 21, Raswapa has begun preparations to form the government, according to Raswapa General Secretary Kavindra Burlakoti.
“Coordination with the President, Prime Minister’s Office, Parliamentary Secretariat, and Election Commission has been completed. The prime minister’s oath will take place on March 27,” said General Secretary Burlakoti.
Prior to this, the newly elected parliamentarians will be sworn in on March 26. Raswapa plans to select Balendra Shah as the parliamentary party leader immediately after the oath ceremony. Once the leader is selected, the prime minister’s oath will be administered on March 27.
According to Article 76(1) of the Constitution, the President is authorized to appoint the prime minister.
This article provides that the parliamentary party holding the majority in the House of Representatives can have its leader appointed as prime minister by the President, who will then form the Council of Ministers. Raswapa has confirmed that preparations are underway following this provision.
Raswapa has won approximately two-thirds of the seats, holding 182 seats across direct and proportional representation. Before the election, the party campaigned with Balendra Shah as its prime ministerial candidate.
After the prime minister’s oath-taking, Raswapa plans to appoint ministers as well. “The Cabinet will be formed on the same day, March 27,” Burlakoti stated.
Preparations are being made for 15 to 18 ministries. According to the party manifesto, the number of ministries at the federal level will be limited to 18. Ministerial appointments will be made based on expert recommendations within this framework. General Secretary Burlakoti noted that ministerial names have not yet been finalized. “No ministerial names have been confirmed,” he clarified.
However, party Chairman Ravi Lamichhane and senior leader Shah have indicated that some leaders are already engaged in preparatory work. Raswapa plans to finalize ministerial names by the evening of March 26 during a secretariat meeting.
Some top party leaders have decided not to join the government. Raswapa plans to keep several secretariat-level leaders in ‘reserve’ to manage party operations effectively.
“A team is essential for party management. There is consensus that several senior leaders will not enter the government,” Burlakoti explained.
Last Thursday, discussions were held among Raswapa Chairman Ravi Lamichhane, senior leader Balendra Shah, Vice-Chair DP Aryal, and Swarnim Wagle regarding government formation. Raswapa has stated that they plan to run the government in a manner that fulfills public expectations.