The Central Face in RPP’s Electioneering
As Nepal gears up for the next general election, one political figure has begun to draw attention not only within her party but across the national political landscape: Khusbu Oli. Once considered a peripheral figure in the royalist party, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Oli has rapidly emerged as the party’s leading face, energizing supporters and challenging entrenched political narratives with her vocal advocacy and dynamic campaigning.
In the 2022 elections, the RPP made a surprising breakthrough, emerging as the fifth-largest party in the federal House of Representatives. While it did not secure a dominant position, the result lent credibility to the party’s long-standing call to revisit Nepal’s republican identity. Over the last three years, the RPP has been at the center of public activism—organizing protests, issuing demands, and promoting ideological frameworks aimed at restoring the monarchy in a ceremonial form.
Amid these developments, the RPP’s campaign has remained a contentious subject in Nepali politics. Critics deride the party as reactionary, while supporters portray it as a guardian of tradition and national unity. At the heart of the party’s electioneering now stands a leader whose appeal transcends party rhetoric and taps into a broader sense of political possibility—Khusbu Oli.
Despite internal fractures and leadership tussles, Oli has emerged as the central face of the RPP’s electoral efforts, particularly in the party’s Proportional Representation (PR) list, where she is a leading candidate. Her journey reflects a nuanced blend of charisma, intellect, and youthful energy that many within and beyond the party find compelling.
In a political environment traditionally dominated by senior leaders and established dynasties, Oli’s rise has been remarkable. Senior figures within the RPP have largely remained passive, overshadowed by infighting and factional rivalry. The party’s reunification with the long-separated faction led by Kamal Thapa was intended to consolidate royalist forces and strengthen electoral prospects. Instead, internal tensions have persisted, particularly with figures such as Dhawal Shumsher Rana, whose faction remains largely disengaged from the mainstream campaign.
Into this leadership vacuum has stepped Oli—articulate, confident, and visibly active. While senior party stalwarts sit on the sidelines, she travels relentlessly from east to west, appearing at rallies, addressing gatherings, and injecting new life into a campaign that might otherwise have drifted into irrelevance.
Her campaign stops attract enthusiastic crowds, with youth activists and seasoned party workers alike eager to hear her speak. Across the country, party candidates invite Oli to their constituencies, keen to harness the energy and attention she brings. In many ways, she has become the face of the RPP’s renewed electoral ambition.
At the core of Oli’s rising popularity is her strong appeal among Nepal’s youth. In a nation where young voters increasingly influence electoral outcomes, the ability to connect with this demographic offers a significant political advantage. Oli’s speeches resonate with young activists who feel politically marginalized and eager for change.
She speaks not only about traditional conservative values but also about issues that matter to younger generations: education reform, healthcare accessibility, economic opportunity, and Nepal’s role on the global stage.
In a political landscape often dominated by men, particularly within conservative parties, Khusbu Oli’s emergence is especially noteworthy. Her presence challenges traditional expectations and introduces a new dimension to the RPP’s political narrative. Her campaign events frequently highlight gender empowerment and youth participation—issues that have sometimes been underemphasized within the party’s broader ideological platform.
Supporters describe her as a bridge-builder, someone capable of attracting not only conservative loyalists but also moderate voters disillusioned with mainstream parties. Political commentators note that while Oli’s personal appeal may help the RPP overcome some internal and public skepticism, the party’s broader success will ultimately depend on its ability to expand its message without alienating its core supporters.
