In Nepal, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is the largest party, led by Rabi Lamichhane. He is a master orator who once set a Guinness World Record for hosting the longest talk show. On the other hand, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has successfully set a record of becoming the Prime Minister by delivering very few speeches. At a time when Chairman Rabi Lamichhane is facing allegations of failing to make his own senior party leader and Prime Minister Balendra Shah accountable to the public, opposition leader Gyan Bahadur Shahi (Gyanendra Shahi) had to deliver a fierce statement during his visit to Japan. Although many criticized him, his language style was easily understood by all Nepalis. According to analysts, Nepal has received a government and an opposition that perfectly match the character of Nepali society; therefore, the statement he made needs to be taken seriously.
In this context, around mid-July 2026, a Facebook Live broadcast by Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) MP Gyanendra Shahi during his visit to Japan created a massive political storm. In the video, he aggressively criticized the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), its supporters, and social media influencers. This incident has triggered a fierce war of words on social media between the supporters of RPP and RSP.
During his live stream, Shahi made provocative remarks specifically targeting RSP and social media users. Taking a swipe at the RSP’s election symbol (the bell), he addressed RSP supporters as "Ghanteka Saathiharu" (friends of the bell). Not stopping there, he used derogatory terms such as "Kharani Gang" (Ash Gang) and "Ganjadi Gang" (Druggie/Marijuana Gang) to target RSP leaders and workers. Directly pointing to the cooperative fraud allegations against the RSP leadership, he labeled them "cooperative fraudsters." Furthermore, targeting YouTubers and TikTokers who make videos on political controversies to "earn dollars," Shahi challenged them to 'roast' him and claimed he deliberately gave them enough content to do so.
Immediately following Shahi’s remarks, the RSP expressed a strong reaction from both Japan and Nepal. The RSP's Migrant Nepali Contact Department in Japan issued an official statement strongly condemning the remarks. The press release, signed by Department President Deepak KC and Joint Secretary Phanindra Sharma Subedi, demanded a public apology from Shahi while urging RSP supporters to respond in a civilized and fact-based manner. Similarly, RSP MP Khagendra Sunar took to social media to mock Shahi's educational background and behavior, writing: "Went to India and became half a CA (Chartered Accountant), went to Japan and became half a PA (Personal Assistant)! Talking about the King in Nepal, talking about Ganja (marijuana) in Japan!!" Sunar added a sharp comment stating that this incident clearly showed the difference between those who drink alcohol and those who do not.
Following the Facebook Live, rumors spread on social media claiming that Gyanendra Shahi was physically attacked in Japan and hospitalized. However, Shahi dismissed all these rumors and stood firm on his initial statements. Responding to the criticism, he remarked sarcastically, "Japan’s alcohol seems to be strong; even without drinking it, the truth hidden inside the heart slipped out of the lips." Stating that no matter how much people try to hide the truth, it will come out one day, he reiterated his stance that "cooperative fraudsters are fraudsters" and claimed he was merely exposing flawed political tendencies.
Overall, this Japan episode involving Gyanendra Shahi exposes the growing intolerance and the low level of mudslinging in Nepali politics. This clash between old and new political forces is not limited to ideological debates and development agendas; instead, it has degenerated into personal abuse, character assassination, and the misuse of social media, which is a matter of concern for democratic culture. It is absolutely essential for political parties and their leadership to maintain restraint in their expressions and focus on solving the actual problems of the public rather than chasing cheap populism.
