New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt congratulations to Nepal for conducting its elections successfully and peacefully. In a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, PM Modi praised the Nepali people for their enthusiastic participation in the democratic process.
‘I extend my heartiest congratulations to the people and government of Nepal for the successful and peaceful conduct of elections. It is heartening to see our Nepali brothers and sisters exercising their democratic rights with such enthusiasm,’ Modi wrote.
He described this milestone as a proud moment in Nepal’s democratic journey. Emphasizing the close ties between the two nations, PM Modi affirmed India’s commitment to collaborate with Nepal’s people and the new government to achieve new heights of peace, progress, and prosperity.
Meanwhile, vote counting in Nepal’s general elections is underway, with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, emerging as the largest party. By 6 PM, RSP had secured 60 out of 165 seats. This young party, founded just four years ago by former journalist Rabi Lamichhane, has stunned political observers.
In a significant upset, veteran leader and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is trailing by 43,000 votes in Jhapa. Oli, who won this seat decisively in 2017 and 2022, appears headed for defeat, while Balen Shah’s victory seems assured. The remaining 110 seats will be allocated proportionally based on the nationwide vote share for each party, where voters choose parties rather than individual candidates.
This election outcome signals a potential shift in Nepal’s political landscape, with independent and new forces challenging established parties. As results continue to pour in, all eyes are on how this will shape Nepal’s governance and its relations with neighbors like India.