Kathmandu: A strange excitement currently surrounds the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which rose to prominence with overwhelming public votes under the slogan "choose the good, choose the capable, and choose the new." With 125 direct seats and 57 proportional representation seats, a total of 182 lawmakers are eligible to become ministers. The party's senior leader, Balendra Shah (Balen), is already the prime ministerial candidate. Now, these 'capable and new' lawmakers might know how to build the country, but they absolutely do not know one thing—how to become a minister?
Old Disease in a New Party: Rushing to Power Centers
Clueless about what it takes to become a minister, most lawmakers are currently busy knocking on the doors of Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and future Prime Minister Balen. It is almost certain that Rabi himself will not become a minister this time, but the key to appointing ministers remains firmly in his hands. Meanwhile, Balen and Rabi have their own 'core teams' and close associates, creating immense pressure to manage them all.
Rumors are swirling that some lawmakers, who swore to practice 'new politics', have started secretly visiting the doorsteps of businessmen, elite journalists, foreign embassies, and the sycophants hovering around 'Rabi-Balen' to secure a ministerial post. After all, the election was won riding the unprecedented RSP wave, but the lawmakers share a common fear: "If I don't become a minister this time, when will I? Who knows whether I'll win the next election or not!"
Few Ministries, Many Aspirants: 'Make Ministers on Rotation?'
There are only 21 to 25 ministries in total, but there are 182 aspirants! Every single outstanding and educated lawmaker wants a piece of the pie. Dr. Toshima Karki wants the Ministry of Health, Swarnim Wagle absolutely needs the Ministry of Finance, and others also want their own 'expert' ministries. Seeing this moral dilemma and the scramble to become ministers, people have started making fun of the situation at tea stalls, at intersections, and on social media.
Through social media, many have started jokingly asking the RSP's senior leader:
"Isn't it a hassle to have so few ministries and so many lawmakers? How about making all 182 honorable lawmakers ministers on a 6-month rotation over the 5-year term, Balen Sir? At least everyone would get a turn!"
Now it remains to be seen—will the party that claims to "choose the capable" adopt the same old political style while picking its ministers, or will it actually perform a new miracle!
