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The NJP, a marginal player in Nepal's politics, is repositioning as a pro-Hindutva force, aiming to expand its influence in the 2026 elections after local successes.
Bhopal March 2, 2026 In Nepal, a political landscape largely dominated by Left and Centre-Left forces since the abolition of the monarchy, the Nepal Janata Party (NJP) is attempting to reposition itself as a pro-Hindutva alternative ahead of Nepal’s 2026 general elections.Though still a marginal player nationally, the party gained a foothold in local body polls last year, winning 17 seats across three panels. Party leaders now signal an ambition to expand their footprint in the upcoming national contest. Earlier NJP senior vice-president Khem Nath Acharya, travelled to New Delhi, where he met leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, including former party president J. P. Nadda, national general secretary (organisation) B. L. Santhosh and Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and others.
Acharya in personal conversation/discussionreportedly alleged the Nepal’s pseudo secular political framework, arguing that despite more than 80 percent of the population identifying as Hindu, many feel constrained in openly asserting their religious identity. Founded in 2004, the NJP has contested elections since 2006 but remained electorally insignificant until its recent local-level gains. Acharya said the party has stepped up organisational activity, signalling a more aggressive political outreach strategy.Ideologically, the NJP projects alignment with the BJP, drawing from the philosophy of “Integral Humanism” articulated by Deendayal Upadhyaya. Party leaders describe the NJP not merely as a political outfit but as a socio-cultural movement advocating Hindu identity in Nepal’s post-monarchy republican order.Analysts note that while Nepal transitioned to a secular republic in 2008 following the end of the monarchy, demands for reinstating a Hindu state periodically resurface in political discourse. Whether the NJP can convert ideological positioning into significant electoral traction in 2026 remains to be seen.Nepal Janta Party is getting popular in Nepal. It won 17 seats in Civic polls. Election symbol is Lotus and ideology is Hindutva. NJP is against appeasement of religions minorities for vote bank. Party aims to win next Nepal election and has already opened office in Kathmandu.
The first general election in Nepal since Gen-Z unrest/protest that toppled the government in September 2025, is scheduled to take place on March 5, 2026. The Himalayan Nation has since been governed by an interim government led by former chief justice Sushila Karki which promised to hold fresh elections and hand over power within six months.Nepal is divided into 7 provinces and 77 districts, a structure established by the 2015 Constitution. These districts are grouped within the provinces, which replaced the previous system of 14 administrative zones According to estimates voters will elect 275 members of parliament through a mixture of first- past- the post voting, and proportional representation,will cast in two separate ballots in the election: one to elect 165 members from single-member constituencies via FPTP, and the other to elect the remaining 110 members from a single nationwide constituency via party-list proportional representation, as mentioned in the Constitution of Nepal. Nearly 18.9 million people are registered to vote in the election. More than 3,400 candidates from 68 parties are contesting the election.
Nepal has a mixed electoral system which was introduced in its 2015 constitution.
The first system is known as First- Past- The Post (FPTP), meaning whoever wins the most votes wins the seat.
The second is known as Proportional Representation (PR), which considers the proportion of votes cast for a political party.
A total of 165 seats will be filled via the FPTP system, while the remaining 110 seats will be elected through PR.The idea of having both systems was to ensure inclusion as well as proportional representation across society. The system makes it difficult for one party to win outright so whoever comes top in the election will most likely need to govern in a coalition.
A former rapper who ran Kathmandu as a Mayor. The young leader of Nepal’s oldest party. And a communist veteran politician hoping to return to power after being ousted in youth-led protest in which dozens were killed last year. Whoever prevails will become Nepal’s 16th PM in less than 2 decades, underscoring the recurring political instability that has marked the Himalayan Nation since the monarchy was abolished in 2008.
Balendra Shah; (RashtriyaSwantantra Party), (RSP), widely known as Balen, is seen as front runner after emerging as a popular figure during the campaign. He was elected Mayor of the capital, Kathmandu, in 2022 and later left the post to become the national independent party’s candidate from PM. Due to his popularity Balen could have easily won election from any constituency in Kathmandu, but instead chose to fight against Oli in his home turf, like roping the lion in his own den, many argue. This time again he is set to contest election from constituency No; 5 Jhapa, a traditional stronghold of former PM KP Oli. Even if Balen loses to Oli in this election, Balen will get into Parliament through proportainal representation. but likely to face very tough challenge from Balen Shah.Balen, the former rapper is taking on the country's former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in his traditionally safe seat of Jhapa 5.Shah has been projected as the RSP prime ministerial candidate.
Nepali Congress; represented by GaganThapa who took over as party president after replacing former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba. Thapa is newly installed leader of the Neapli congress, the country’s oldest major political party, a liberal democratic party with close ties to neighboring India. The Deuba government was reportedly embroiled in large scale corruption, nepotism, mis-governance etc and thus the change in party leadership is viewed as course-correction by leaders. During his regime ensuing Gen-Z proest, 77 lives were lost reportedly due to apathy by the then Home Minster Lekhak, his own party man.
Communist Party of Nepal (UML-united Marxist-Leninist); led by former PM KP Oli, the controversial but strong communist leader who led the coalition government that was forced out of power last year following Gen-Z unrest. Oli and his government resigned last September amid mounting public anger at long-entrenched corruption and social inequality in the Himalayan republic.
He is blamed by many for the deaths in the violent protest’s that ousted him. Oli has consistently argued that steady policies and politics are essential for Nepal, warning that the economy need stability to develop. Oli was in peak of his popularity in 2015/16 just after massive earthquake which rocked the Himalayan Nation with destruction and human miseries. This time again he is set to contest election from constituency No; 5 Jhapa, but likely to face very tough challenge from Balen Shah.
Nepal Communist Party (Maobadi);led by party president Prachanda, who has entered as alliance with breakaway faction of UML led by former PM Madhab Kumar Nepal and other Left parties. His house was vandalize and set ablaze by unruly mob during Gen-Z protest.
RashtriyaPrajatantra Party (RPP); representedby Rajendra Lingdel,emerged in 1990s as a byproduct of Panchayat system set up erstwhile king Mahendra. The party enjoys support in limited pockets mostly amongst old guards and veterans. It constantly advocates for revival of monarch and Sanatan Hindu state inclusive of Buddhism and other local faiths. There are several political parties and politicians, independent candidatesincluding erstwhile monarchial head,Durga Parsaietcin the fray and are being closely watched. Surprisingly the King’s support and popularity has surged again after loosing its sheen.
What are the main issues in the Nepal election?
The authorities said 77 people were killed during last September's demonstrations, many of them protesters shot by police. Crowds set fire to many buildings, including parliament, the Supreme Court and central government secretariat.The protests were triggered by a ban on social media but fuelled by anger against corruption, unemployment and economic stagnation. Most political parties have put particular focus on issues such as better governance, fighting corruption and increaing employment in their manifestos, which is being widely seen as a nod to the frustrations that led to the toppling of the previous government.A decade after a new constitution promised a fresh start, many young people say those hopes remain unmet. By some estimates, about one in five young Nepalis is outof work.Much of the frustration has been voiced online, particularly among Generation Z - those currently aged between 14 and 29.Last August, Gen Z activists began to share terms on social media such as "nepo baby", to describe the privileged children of the Nepalese elite.
This election has important geopolitical ramifications too.
Neighbouring India, which has historically had an outsized role in Nepal's political history, is watching closely. This is primarily because it sees previous regime under Oli had actively pursued a closer relationship with China, India's rival, during his several terms as prime minister.China has a major influence in Nepal and will be watching closely, as it will be hoping that any future government is supportive towards its interests in the country, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).The US has also been playing a role in this election and has been more aligned with India in terms of its strategic objectives.
