Growing friction between Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s administration and the ruling coalition partner Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) threatens to undermine government stability, as the party leadership warns of serious political consequences over unheeded directives. RSP Spokesperson Manish Jha cautioned that the government's persistent disregard for party policies is an alarming sign that could force the leadership to reconsider its position.
The rift deepened following repeated incidents of press freedom violations and administrative overreach. On July 13, vehicles linked to government figures blocked access to major news organizations including Onlinekhabar, Himalaya TV, and Kantipur. While supporters of the Prime Minister defended the action as a response to media coverage following Ganesh Nepali’s self-immolation near the Passport Department, RSP General Secretary Bipin Acharya publicly condemned the move, demanding legal action against those responsible for targeting the fourth estate.
Tensions escalated further around October 30 when police detained Motivate News editor Shobharaj Barat and DNA Khabar editor-in-chief Dhiraj Basnet. Similar incidents involved the temporary detention of Nepal Press journalist Bishwamani Subedi and an unauthorized police entry into the Naya Patrika office. Contradictory statements emerged as the Prime Minister's Secretariat denied prior knowledge, while police authorities claimed to be acting under direct orders from the Prime Minister's Office.
Despite emergency secretariat meetings and formal demands by RSP President Rabi Lamichhane and party leadership urging an investigation into alleged ties involving Chief Advisor Kumar Ben and Home Minister Sudan Gurung's associates, the government has refrained from taking action. On October 13, Acharya also pressed for an inquiry into an audio recording between a senior police officer and a middleman regarding journalist arrests. If the government continues its arbitrary conduct, RSP leaders indicate that party organs will evaluate future steps regarding their continued support.
