KATHMANDU, JANUARY 20, 2026 – The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by Rabi Lamichhane, has officially filed its nominations for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. In a strategic move that has stunned the political establishment, the party has fielded former Kathmandu Mayor Balendra (Balen) Shah against CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa-5. The RSP has also declared Balen Shah as its Prime Ministerial candidate should the party secure a majority.
The candidate registration process, which took place nationwide on Tuesday, reveals a mix of seasoned professionals, former independent leaders, and high-profile defectors from other parties. The RSP’s strategy focuses heavily on urban centers and constituencies previously held by veteran leaders of the “Big Three” parties.
Following the massive “Gen Z protests” of late 2025, the RSP has undergone significant restructuring. As part of a unification deal with the Ujyalo Nepal Party and Bibeksheel Sajha, several new faces have been inducted into the Central Committee and the PR closed list.
- New PR Faces: The party has submitted a list of 107 candidates for the Proportional Representation category, reportedly including a higher percentage of youth and technical experts.
- Leadership Roles: Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal and Swarnim Wagle continue as Vice-Chairs, while Kabindra Burlakoti serves as General Secretary.
- Recent Mergers: High-profile names like Samiksha Baskota and Ranju Darshana from the Bibeksheel Sajha group have been assigned key roles in the election campaign.
The “Balen Factor” and the Prime Ministerial Bid:
The most significant development is the party’s decision to present Balen Shah as the face of their government. After resigning as Mayor last week, Shah’s move to Jhapa-5 is seen as a “do-or-die” challenge to the traditional political guard. RSP Spokesperson Manish Jha stated that the party is running on a platform of “competence over identity,” urging voters to choose the ‘Bell’ symbol to ensure a professional government led by Shah.
With the official nomination letters now issued, the RSP is kicking off its “Digital Campaign 2.0,” focusing on social media outreach to capture the youth vote that proved decisive in the 2022 local and general elections.
Some Candidate are:
| Candidate | Constituency | Status/Role |
| Balen Shah | Jhapa-5 | Prime Ministerial Candidate; challenging KP Sharma Oli. |
| Rabi Lamichhane | Chitwan-2 | Party President; defending his seat. |
| Swarnim Wagle | Tanahun-1 | Vice-President; economist. |
| Toshima Karki | Lalitpur-3 | Defending her seat; medical professional. |
| Biraj Bhakta Shrestha | Kathmandu-8 | Former Youth & Sports Minister. |
| Sobita Gautam | Kathmandu-2 | Defending her seat; legal professional. |
| Shishir Khanal | Kathmandu-6 | Former Education Minister. |
| Prakash Pathak | Jhapa-3 | Challenging RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden. |
| Shambhu Dhakal | Jhapa-4 | Part of the “Jhapa Sweep” strategy. |
| Mingma Sherpa | Sankhuwasabha-1 | Representing the Himalayan region. |
Top PR Candidates (The “Closed List” of 107)
The RSP conducted an internal “Primary” to rank their PR candidates. These candidates do not fight in a specific constituency but represent the entire nation. The top-ranked names include:
- Ramesh Prasai: Ranked #1 (Public favorite and motivational speaker).
- Pramod Neupane: Ranked #2.
- Ranju Darshana: Ranked #3 (Former mayoral candidate and youth leader).
- Tika Sangraula (Jwalamukhi): Ranked #4.
- Lima Adhikari: Ranked #5 (Daughter of late Adhikari).
- Samikshya Baskota: Ranked #6 (Former Bibeksheel Sajha leader).
- Bipin Kumar Acharya: Ranked #7 (Joint General Secretary).
- Krantishikha Dhital: Ranked #8.
- Sachin Dhakal: Included under Khas Arya quota.
- Asif Shah: Noted media personality (Muslim quota).
- Dr. Abhishek Singh: From the Ujyalo Nepal Party merger.
- Rima Bishowkarma: Popular actress and media figure.
- Rachana Khatiwada: Mother of Gen Z martyr Rasik Khatiwada.