With 182 members in the House of Representatives, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)-led government wields considerable authority. Yet, despite being only a few months into office, warning signs of public dissatisfaction are emerging both within and outside the ruling party. Recently, RSP lawmaker Amaresh Kumar Singh warned that growing dissatisfaction with the administration could spark a popular movement against it after Chhath. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, co-ordinator of the Nepali Communist Party, has warned that Madheshis may take to the streets. CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has accused the government of misusing state authority and failing to foster collaboration among political parties. Janamat Party Chairman CK Raut has gone further, calling the administration a “complete failure.” Of course, such statements may partly reflect opposition politics. Political parties often criticise governments based on their own calculations. However, that does not make every complaint untrue, nor does it justify dismissing growing public dissatisfaction as a political conspiracy. The recent episode involving Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel in Madhesh is a case in point. Pokharel said he was not forced to leave the event and that the actions of two individuals disrupted the participation of children, teachers, and parents. He also said a brief video clip had been taken out of context. His explanation deserves consideration.
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However, the incident should not be viewed in isolation. It comes amid concerns over public services, LPG shortages, disruptions in healthcare, disaster response, and other issues that directly affect ordinary citizens. Dahal has accused the government of disrespecting Madhesh and marginalising Madheshi leaders. Oli has warned state agencies against following inappropriate directives. Raut has questioned the government’s economic pledges, citing increased migration, the suspension of health insurance services, and border restrictions. Upendra Yadav, chairman of the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, has also said preparations are under way to resume demonstrations after Chhath. Many of these claims may be rejected by the government, and disinformation should certainly be challenged. But debating every critic will not solve the underlying problems. More concerning is the growing dissatisfaction among Generation Z activists and relatives of those who died in the movement that helped lay the groundwork for the current government. Rachana Khatiwada, the mother of Gen Z victim Rasik Khatiwada and an RSP legislator, has also expressed discontent. This should give the administration reason to pause and rethink. The essential issue is not simply who is criticising the government. Citizens care little about political arguments when they cannot access LPG, receive timely healthcare, obtain adequate disaster assistance, or see the state respond to their concerns.
A government with 182 seats in the House of Representatives has the ability to rule decisively. But a strong majority does not protect it from public anger. Indeed, it raises expectations. Those who rejected the old political order and gave the RSP such a strong mandate may be even harsher on it if they feel ignored. Political theatrics can backfire on both the opposition and the government. If ministers respond to every criticism by alleging conspiracy, they risk turning legitimate grievances into broader political outrage. When people feel unheard, a small complaint can snowball into a larger movement. The government must therefore listen before dissatisfaction escalates into conflict. It should distinguish between political manoeuvring and genuine grievances, address legitimate concerns publicly, and correct mistakes quickly. The RSP has no reason to fear criticism, but it must learn from it. Although the RSP’s 182-seat mandate allows it to govern for five years, it does not give it five years free from public scrutiny. The true measure of this government will be how swiftly it responds when citizens raise problems—not how quickly it labels those problems a conspiracy. The RSP and the government must remember that public anger can sometimes be a citizen’s way of asking the government to listen and address their grievances.
