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By Our Reporter

The recent National Assembly elections have shifted the balance of power in Nepal’s upper house, giving Nepali Congress a clear boost while the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) faced a notable setback. An alliance between Congress, CPN-UML, and the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) largely dictated the outcome. Of the 18 seats contested, Congress captured nine, UML eight, and LSP’s Mahanta Thakur secured the remaining seat. The result not only reflects the effectiveness of pre-election coordination but also underscores the growing importance of strategic alliances in Nepal’s indirect electoral system. With these additions, Congress now holds 25 of the 59 National Assembly seats, emerging as the largest party.

The NCP, which was previously the dominant force in the upper house, now finds itself reduced to 17 members after eight of its parliamentarians’ terms end on February 20. CPN-UML retains a third-place position with 10 members, and smaller parties like LSP and Janata Samajwadi Party continue to hold minimal representation. Unlike general elections, National Assembly members are elected indirectly by local officials—provincial assembly members, mayors, and deputy mayors—with each vote weighted according to a formula balancing population and assembly strength. The high turnout of 95.68 percent among these electors demonstrates the seriousness with which this election was contested.

This setback is significant for the Prachanda-led NCP, which had sought to consolidate power after the Gen Z protests by merging his former Maoist Centre with the Unified Socialist Party and other fringe groups to form the NCP. While Prachanda’s rebranding offered a fresh image and the promise of a stronger party, the National Assembly results reveal underlying challenges. Negotiations within the party failed to secure alliances that could have increased its seat count, leaving the NCP to face a divided electorate. As party leader Agni Prasad Sapkota acknowledged, the failure to coordinate strategically limited the party’s gains and exposed weaknesses in internal planning.

Looking ahead to the March 5 elections, the NCP faces an uphill battle. The National Assembly outcome may not spell the party’s end, but it certainly signals a critical warning: without clear strategy, cohesive leadership, and stronger alliances, maintaining influence will be difficult. Meanwhile, Congress’ surge shows the payoff of careful planning and coalition-building, giving it a stronger platform to shape legislation and consolidate public perception ahead of the general election.

In essence, these results reinforce a fundamental lesson for Nepali politics: in a highly tactical, indirect electoral system, alliances and adaptability matter as much as ideology or past performance. For Prachanda and the NCP, the path forward requires both strategic thinking and political recalibration. If they fail to adjust, Congress’ momentum could continue to grow, reshaping Nepal’s political landscape for years to come. The National Assembly elections are more than a routine exercise—they are a preview of how negotiation, planning, and party cohesion will determine the balance of power in Nepal’s evolving democracy.