About RPP

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP)

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (National Democrat Party of Nepal) was established on the 15th of Jestha 2047 BS (1990 AD).The three ideological pillars of Nationalism, Democracy and Liberalism form the ideological base of the party.

R.P.P. favors free market forces for the organized sector of the economy. We believe that a private sector reliant, export led strategy is the best basis for a modern economy. In the backward and unorganized sector however where poverty prevails, the state has to play an active and forward role to alleviate there problems.

In the last four years, following its third general convention, which elected Mr. Pashupati Shumshere J. B. Rana as the Chairman, the party has taken an increasingly pro-democratic stance. The party opposed the autocratic policies proclaimed by the king on February 1st 2004.It repeatedly urged the king to accept multi-party norms and to negotiate with the mainline parties. This led to a major clash between the reconciliatory policies of the R.P.P. and the dictatorial policy of the regime. When the King ceded his powers to the popular movement and restored Parliament, the R.P.P. decided to remain in the opposition, while extending unqualified support to the government in the issue of peace and negotiations with the Maoists. The R.P.P. is the largest party in opposition in Parliament.

R.P.P. is a nationally recognized party, which received 13 percent of the vote in the general election of 2048 B.S. (1991 AD), 18 percent of the vote in the mid-term general election of 2051 B.S (1994 AD) and 13 percent of the vote in the general election of 2056 B. S. (1999 AD). After the second general election 1994, no party had a clear majority. The R.P.P., MPs. played a pivotal role in the formation of the government. The R.P.P. became an important part of the Nepali Congress led coalition government 1995-1997, Mr. Lokendra Bahadur Chand, a leader of this party, became the Prime Minister of the country in alliance with the Communist Party of Nepal ( UML) in 2054 B.S. (1997 AD). While the then party president Mr. Surya Bahadur Thap became Prime Minister in alliance with Nepali Congress for a short period. Mr. Lokendra Bahadur Chand and Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa became Prime Minister again in their individual capacity after the dissolution of Parliament. The king called on Mr. Sher Bahadur Deupa to form a four party coalition government in 2004, The R.P.P. became a partner in this coalition. This government was ousted by the coup of February 1st 2005. Chairman Rana along with other party leaders was placed under house arrest after the coup.

R.P.P. has a nation wide organization. It's moderate, liberal policies are gaining quite a wide following. The party has held 3 National Conventions. It is the only large party in Nepal which has passed on the baton of the leadership to a new generation in the third National Convention.