Crash Course on Local Politics in Nepal

Here’s a member of Parliament, at his home, flanked by two local party workers from the constituency (left). Why are the party workers there? Well, to ask for “help” – benefits or favours – not for themselves, specifically, but for followers back in their villages. This is a well-known situation in Nepali politics, and it gives a quick hint of how “local politics” is not only local but indeed connected with politics at central level. Local politics is complex and one of our ongoing projects is to understand it better.

Our main result so far is Crash Course on Local Politics in Nepal which has been well received. It’s easily read and gives a quick overview of how local politics works – and has worked for decades – in Nepal. Is it the whole story? Well, these are times of dramatic change in Nepal also at local level, so we would have to say no. In a near future there will be provinces which are going to add a whole new structural dimension to central-local relations; ethnicity is playing a bigger role in Terai; and the earthquake has affected the local setting. But until now, the “basics” remain – in our experience – the same.

Updates on local politics, covering topics ranging from local elections to the new constitution, are posted here, and we hope to put up videos in a near future too. Stay tuned for new uploads and do share views and insights here!

“Your crash course on local politics in Nepal is an extensive and well-researched brief for those coming into Nepal in need of a primer.” Christina Costello, Program Manager, Asia, NDI

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