The current political scenario of Nepal has again reached a transitional stage. After the dissolution of the House of Representatives, the period until the next election is filled with political uncertainty and distrust. Power-sharing disputes between major parties, ideological ambiguity, and public discontent are pushing the country towards an unstable direction. At such a time, the role of small political parties can be decisive—especially in terms of participation in the interim government. An interim government is not an aspiration for long-term rule by any party; it is a mechanical mechanism to lead the political transition on the path of stability and trust. Therefore, during this period, small parties get the opportunity to prioritize national interests through collaboration.
Setting the context
After the people’s movement of 2006, Nepal began its journey towards a new democratic structure. But in the last 15 years, about a dozen governments have changed. The lack of trust among political parties, the moral crisis of the leadership, and the declining trust among the people have called the democratic system into question.
The 2025 constitutional amendment controversy, the dissolution of parliament, and the ‘Gen Z’ movement among the people have highlighted the need for political restructuring. In such a situation, an interim government is not just a political option, but an indispensable means of constitutional transition and national consensus.
There are currently more than 100 registered political parties in Nepal, but the number of small parties present in the dissolved House of Representatives is only about a dozen—such as the Janmat Party, the Nagari Unmukti Party, the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party, the RPP, the Madhesh centered socialist parties, etc.
Small parties have been raising issues of political ethics and system reform. These issues are at the center of the current transitional political debate.
Small parties such as the Rastriya Janamukti Party, which played a role in the constitution-making process by showing its presence in the first and second Constituent Assembly and in the governments of the time, and which had been advocating the idea that multi-ethnic democratic socialism would be the best practice for Nepal, were deprived of their presence in parliament by imposing a three percent threshold, including one directly elected, in the elections. This threshold restriction is contrary to the essence of a secular, proportional, inclusive, democratic republic as mentioned in the constitution. The role of the ostracized parties such as the Rastriya Janamukti Party, which has been continuously struggling for an inclusive democracy with coexistence since 1990 and has been participating in every election, may be important in resolving the current constitutional and political impasse. The presence of these parties in the current interim government may be fruitful in continuing the inevitability of party character in democracy. Although the electoral power of these parties is limited, their regional, ethnic, or ideological influence cannot be denied even by the big parties.
Small parties have been raising issues of political ethics and system reform—such as the voice against corruption, the case for proportional representation, or the re-examination of federalism. These issues are at the center of the current transitional political debate.
Why support
a) Collective responsibility for national stability
The first objective of the interim government is to return the country to political stability. Small parties can use this as an opportunity—to send the message that ‘politics is for the nation, not for office’.
If small parties come together to support the interim government, they can be seen as responsible parties in the restructuring of the nation.
b) Building political messaging and credibility
At a time when public trust in the major parties is declining, there is a great opportunity for small parties to play the politics of credibility. Supporting the interim government to maintain impartiality and good governance is a way to convey the message to the new generation of voters (especially Gen Z and millennials).
c) Strategic benefits in the upcoming elections
Parties that support the interim government gain moral advantages in the upcoming elections. The public evaluates such parties as “responsible and nationally minded.” In addition, it is possible to have a direct role in the policy-making process within the interim government.
d) Impact on policy and system reform
The interim government often formulates policies on the electoral system, corruption control, and administrative reform. Small parties have the opportunity to include their long-term agendas — such as federal review, local autonomy, or equal opportunities in education and health — in these reform processes.
How to help
a) Policy dialogue and consensus building
Small parties should prioritize the politics of dialogue, not competition, with large parties. They can set a common agenda on core national issues and provide suggestions on the policy decisions of the interim government — such as electoral reform, corruption control, and good governance policy.
b) Formation of joint working committees
Although the representation of small parties within the interim government is small, they can propose the formation of a joint advisory committee or policy advisory council. This helps to make government decisions inclusive and transparent.
c) Citizen-contact and monitoring role
Small parties can play the role of public oversight in the functioning of the government by strengthening the relationship with the people. While expressing support for the interim government, a balance can be maintained through necessary criticism and suggestions.
d) Means of strengthening regional issues and voices
The interim government will seek to address all regional grievances. Small parties can highlight the issues of their regional, ethnic, or linguistic communities on the occasion — towards strengthening national unity.
Potential challenges
a) Arrogance and Influence of Large Parties
In the interim government, large parties are likely to consider the ‘voice of small parties’ as secondary. This can weaken the cooperative environment.
b) Ideological Incompatibility
Even small parties have differences in ideas, policies, and perspectives. It can be difficult to recommend policies with one voice.
c) Pressure from Public Expectations
If small parties fail to meet the expectations of the people, their credibility may decline. In particular, the failure of the interim government may also be blamed on the neglect of small parties.
Future path
Nepal’s democracy is yet to mature. If small parties prioritize a culture of collaboration over political competition during the establishment of the interim government, it will create a new political culture for the future.
- Small parties can advance long-term agendas for state reform.
- They can create mechanisms to hold large parties accountable.
- And above all, they can give the message to the people that “politics is not just a game of power, but a social responsibility.”
Nepal is now again in a sensitive phase of political transition. Amid constitutional chaos, mutual distrust between major parties, and popular discontent, the need to establish an interim government is not just formal, but directly related to the stability of the nation. In this situation, if small political parties support the interim government with a clear policy vision, it will not only stabilize the government — it will be the beginning of public trust and democratic renaissance. As much as the responsibility of the major parties is to restore Nepal’s democracy, the role of small parties will be equally decisive. The contribution of small parties based on these three principles—collaboration, transparency, and accountability—can turn Nepal’s political future in a new direction.
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