Parties
Political parties
Understand Nepal’s parties: their ideas, their history and where they stand, in their own words and with evidence.
Policy Nepal does not rank parties or tell you whom to support. Parties are placed by the ideology they name in their own documents, and by independent expert surveys — each placement with its source. Policy Nepal does not add its own scores.
From left to right, in their own words
Each party sits in the ideological family it names in its own constitution or manifesto. The families follow the order commonly used in political science. Select a party to read its own words and sources.
The state should own or steer more of the economy; equality comes first.
Markets and private business should lead; tradition and order matter more.
- Marxist–Leninist
- Communist and socialist union
- Socialist
- Democratic socialist
- Liberal
- Liberal-conservative
- Marxist–Leninist
- Communist and socialist union
- Socialist
- Democratic socialist
- Liberal
- Liberal-conservative
- Not placed / independent
Read each party’s own words
- Marxist–Leninist
- Rastriya Janamorcha“Rastriya Janamorcha is guided by Marxism-Leninism and strong nationalist principles”“राष्ट्रिय जनमोर्चा मार्क्सवाद-लेनिनवाद र बलियो राष्ट्रवादी सिद्धान्तहरूद्वारा निर्देशित छ”
- Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)“The guiding principle of this party is Marxism–Leninism and People's Multiparty Democracy.”“यस पार्टीको मार्गदर्शक सिद्धान्त मार्क्सवाद–लेनिनवाद र जनताको बहुदलीय जनवाद हो ।”
- Communist and socialist union
- Socialist
- Democratic socialist
- Liberal
- Liberal-conservative
Not placed: Shram Sanskriti Party — no party document could be obtained.
How independent experts place them, on several dimensions
Not yet placed by this source: RSPरास्वपा, Nepali Communist Partyनेपाली कम्युनिष्ट पार्टी, Shram Sanskritiश्रम संस्कृति, JSP Nepalजसपा नेपाल. Rastriya Swatantra Party and the Nepali Communist Party were formed after the 2017 election these surveys cover; no published expert placement exists yet. Their own positions are shown above.
Source: Global Party Survey 2019 (Norris), average of expert ratings about the 2017 election, 0–10.
Not yet placed by this source: RSPरास्वपा, Nepali Communist Partyनेपाली कम्युनिष्ट पार्टी, Shram Sanskritiश्रम संस्कृति, JSP Nepalजसपा नेपाल. Rastriya Swatantra Party and the Nepali Communist Party were formed after the 2017 election these surveys cover; no published expert placement exists yet. Their own positions are shown above.
Source: Global Party Survey 2019 (Norris), average of expert ratings about the 2017 election, 0–10.
Not yet placed by this source: RSPरास्वपा, Nepali Communist Partyनेपाली कम्युनिष्ट पार्टी, Shram Sanskritiश्रम संस्कृति, JSP Nepalजसपा नेपाल, Rastriya Janamorchaराष्ट्रिय जनमोर्चा. Rastriya Swatantra Party and the Nepali Communist Party were formed after the 2017 election these surveys cover; no published expert placement exists yet. Their own positions are shown above.
Source: V-Party dataset v2 (V-Dem Institute), expert coding of the 2017 election, 0 = far left to 6 = far right.
- Marxist–Leninist
- Communist and socialist union
- Socialist
- Democratic socialist
- Liberal
- Liberal-conservative
- Not placed / independent
Each line is one question from one source; sources are never averaged. Experts rated parties as they stood in 2017, before later splits and mergers. Hover or focus a dot for the exact value and the name the source used.
Seats in Parliament
House of Representatives
National Assembly
- Marxist–Leninist
- Communist and socialist union
- Socialist
- Democratic socialist
- Liberal
- Liberal-conservative
- Not placed / independent
One dot per seat. Parties are arranged left to right by the ideology each names in its own documents; grey dots are parties not placed on that scale and independents. Seats are members shown in our directory, by party as listed in the official directory.
What left, right, liberal and conservative mean
Economic axisआर्थिक अक्ष
Left / liberal pole: More state or collective ownership, planning and redistributionराज्य वा सामूहिक स्वामित्व, योजना र पुनर्वितरणमा बढी जोड
Right / conservative pole: More private ownership, markets and limited state role in the economyनिजी स्वामित्व, बजार र अर्थतन्त्रमा राज्यको सीमित भूमिकामा बढी जोड
This is the most common meaning of left and right in comparative studies. It asks how far the state should own, plan, tax and redistribute, and how much should be left to markets and private enterprise. Most real positions sit between the poles, for example a market economy with public services and social protection.तुलनात्मक अध्ययनमा वाम र दक्षिणको सबैभन्दा चलनचल्तीको अर्थ यही हो। राज्यले कति स्वामित्व लिने, योजना बनाउने, कर लगाउने र पुनर्वितरण गर्ने, अनि कति कुरा बजार र निजी उद्यममा छोड्ने भन्ने प्रश्न यसले उठाउँछ। धेरैजसो वास्तविक धारणा दुई छेउका बीचमा पर्छन्, जस्तै सार्वजनिक सेवा र सामाजिक सुरक्षासहितको बजार अर्थतन्त्र।
Social and cultural axisसामाजिक तथा सांस्कृतिक अक्ष
Left / liberal pole: Change in social norms, individual choice, secular public institutionsसामाजिक मान्यतामा परिवर्तन, व्यक्तिगत छनोट, धर्मनिरपेक्ष सार्वजनिक संस्था
Right / conservative pole: Continuity of tradition, religion and established authorityपरम्परा, धर्म र स्थापित अधिकारको निरन्तरता
Many scholars find that one economic line is not enough. A second axis covers questions such as the role of religion in the state, tradition and authority, national identity, and individual freedoms. In European expert surveys this is often called the 'GAL–TAN' axis (green/alternative/libertarian versus traditional/authoritarian/nationalist). A party can be economically left and socially conservative, or the reverse.धेरै विद्वान्का अनुसार एउटा आर्थिक रेखाले मात्र पुग्दैन। दोस्रो अक्षले राज्यमा धर्मको भूमिका, परम्परा र अधिकार, राष्ट्रिय पहिचान, अनि व्यक्तिगत स्वतन्त्रताजस्ता प्रश्न समेट्छ। युरोपका विज्ञ सर्वेक्षणमा यसलाई प्रायः 'GAL–TAN' अक्ष भनिन्छ (हरित/वैकल्पिक/उदार बनाम परम्परागत/अधिकारमुखी/राष्ट्रवादी)। कुनै दल आर्थिक रूपमा वाम र सामाजिक रूपमा परम्परावादी हुन सक्छ, वा त्यसको उल्टो पनि।
Common labels explained
- Leftवाम / वामपन्थी
- Generally used for positions that put more weight on reducing inequality, often through public provision, labour rights and redistribution. Bobbio argues that attitudes to equality are the most lasting difference between left and right.सामान्यतया असमानता घटाउनमा बढी जोड दिने धारणालाई वाम भनिन्छ। यसका लागि प्रायः सार्वजनिक सेवा, श्रमिक अधिकार र पुनर्वितरणको बाटो रोजिन्छ। बोबियोका अनुसार समानताप्रतिको दृष्टिकोण नै वाम र दक्षिणबीचको सबैभन्दा टिकाउ भिन्नता हो।
- Centreमध्य / मध्यमार्गी
- Used for positions between the two poles, or for parties that combine elements of both. 'Centre' is relative: it depends on where the other parties in that country stand at that time.दुई छेउबीचका धारणा, वा दुवैतर्फका तत्त्व मिसाउने दललाई मध्य भनिन्छ। 'मध्य' सापेक्ष शब्द हो। यो त्यस देशका अरू दल त्यस बेला कहाँ छन् भन्नेमा भर पर्छ।
- Rightदक्षिण / दक्षिणपन्थी
- Generally used for positions that put more weight on private property, markets, order and continuity of established institutions, and that accept more inequality as a result of individual differences or tradition. In some countries 'right' also refers mainly to religious or national-traditional positions rather than economics.सामान्यतया निजी सम्पत्ति, बजार, व्यवस्था र स्थापित संस्थाको निरन्तरतामा बढी जोड दिने, र व्यक्तिगत भिन्नता वा परम्पराका कारण हुने केही असमानतालाई स्वीकार्ने धारणालाई दक्षिण भनिन्छ। कतिपय देशमा 'दक्षिण' भन्नाले मुख्यतः अर्थतन्त्र नभई धार्मिक वा राष्ट्रिय-परम्परागत धारणा बुझिन्छ।
- Liberalउदारवादी
- Liberalism treats individual freedom as the central question of politics. In Europe and much of Asia 'liberal' often means pro-market (economic liberalism); in the United States it usually means socially progressive and supportive of an active state. Always check which meaning a source uses.उदारवादले व्यक्तिको स्वतन्त्रतालाई राजनीतिको केन्द्रीय प्रश्न मान्छ। युरोप र एसियाका धेरै ठाउँमा 'उदार' भन्नाले प्रायः बजारपक्षीय (आर्थिक उदारवाद) बुझिन्छ। संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिकामा भने यसले प्रायः सामाजिक रूपमा प्रगतिशील र सक्रिय राज्यको पक्षधर भन्ने बुझाउँछ। कुनै स्रोतले कुन अर्थमा प्रयोग गरेको छ, सधैँ हेर्नुहोस्।
- Conservativeरूढिवादी / परम्परावादी
- Conservatism generally favours gradual change that builds on existing traditions and institutions, and is sceptical of large plans for remaking society. What is 'conserved' differs by country: religion, monarchy, national culture or a market order.रूढिवाद सामान्यतया विद्यमान परम्परा र संस्थामा टेकेर बिस्तारै परिवर्तन गर्ने पक्षमा हुन्छ, र समाजलाई पूरै नयाँ बनाउने ठूला योजनाप्रति शङ्का राख्छ। के 'जोगाउने' भन्ने कुरा देशअनुसार फरक पर्छ: धर्म, राजसंस्था, राष्ट्रिय संस्कृति वा बजार व्यवस्था।
- Socialistसमाजवादी
- Socialism covers many traditions. Their common thread is a critique of capitalism and a proposal that the main means of production be under social or workers' control rather than owned by a separate capitalist class. Nepal's Constitution describes the state as 'socialism-oriented', and parties of very different kinds use the word 'socialism' in their documents, so the word alone does not tell you a party's economic programme.समाजवादभित्र धेरै परम्परा छन्। तिनको साझा कुरा पुँजीवादको आलोचना र उत्पादनका मुख्य साधन छुट्टै पुँजीपति वर्गको हातमा नभई समाज वा श्रमिकको नियन्त्रणमा हुनुपर्छ भन्ने प्रस्ताव हो। नेपालको संविधानले राज्यलाई 'समाजवादउन्मुख' भनेको छ, र धेरै फरक प्रकृतिका दलले आफ्ना दस्तावेजमा 'समाजवाद' शब्द प्रयोग गर्छन्। त्यसैले यो शब्दले मात्र कुनै दलको आर्थिक कार्यक्रम बताउँदैन।
- Social democrat / democratic socialistसामाजिक लोकतन्त्रवादी / लोकतान्त्रिक समाजवादी
- Used for parties that pursue socialist or egalitarian goals through multiparty elections and parliamentary government, usually within a market economy with a welfare state, public services and labour rights. In comparative studies these parties form the 'social democratic' party family.बहुदलीय निर्वाचन र संसदीय शासनमार्फत समाजवादी वा समतामूलक लक्ष्य लिने दललाई यसो भनिन्छ। यस्ता दल प्रायः कल्याणकारी राज्य, सार्वजनिक सेवा र श्रमिक अधिकारसहितको बजार अर्थतन्त्रभित्र काम गर्छन्। तुलनात्मक अध्ययनमा यिनलाई 'सामाजिक लोकतान्त्रिक' दल परिवारमा राखिन्छ।
- Communistकम्युनिष्ट
- Used for parties in the Marxist tradition, usually naming Marxism or Marxism–Leninism as a guiding doctrine and a classless (communist) society as a long-term aim. Communist parties differ greatly in practice: in Nepal several parties with 'communist' in their names compete in multiparty elections and have led elected governments. The name alone does not tell you a party's present programme.मार्क्सवादी परम्पराका दललाई कम्युनिष्ट भनिन्छ। यस्ता दलले प्रायः मार्क्सवाद वा मार्क्सवाद–लेनिनवादलाई मार्गदर्शक सिद्धान्त र वर्गविहीन (साम्यवादी) समाजलाई दीर्घकालीन लक्ष्य मान्छन्। व्यवहारमा कम्युनिष्ट दलहरू एकअर्कासँग धेरै फरक हुन्छन्: नेपालमा नाममा 'कम्युनिष्ट' भएका कैयौँ दल बहुदलीय निर्वाचनमा प्रतिस्पर्धा गर्छन् र निर्वाचित सरकारको नेतृत्व गरिसकेका छन्। नामले मात्र दलको हालको कार्यक्रम बताउँदैन।
- Monarchist / royalistराजावादी / राजसंस्थावादी
- Used for parties that support a monarchy, whether as head of state with limited constitutional powers or with a larger role. This is a question about the form of the state (what Lijphart calls 'regime support'), which is separate from the economic axis. Nepal's Constitution of 2072 describes Nepal as a 'federal democratic republican State'.राजसंस्थाको पक्षमा रहेका दललाई राजावादी भनिन्छ, चाहे राजा सीमित संवैधानिक अधिकारसहितको राष्ट्रप्रमुख होऊन् वा बढी भूमिकासहित। यो राज्यको स्वरूपसँग जोडिएको प्रश्न हो (लिपहार्टले यसलाई 'शासन व्यवस्थाप्रतिको समर्थन' भन्छन्), जुन आर्थिक अक्षभन्दा अलग हो। नेपालको संविधान, २०७२ ले नेपाललाई 'सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्रात्मक राज्य' भनेको छ।
- Federalistसङ्घीयतावादी
- Federalism divides power between a central government and member units (in Nepal: the Federation, Provinces and Local Levels), each with its own area of authority. Parties differ on whether to keep, strengthen, redesign (for example around identity) or abolish the provincial tier. This is a separate question from left and right.सङ्घीयताले केन्द्रीय सरकार र सदस्य इकाइबीच अधिकार बाँड्छ (नेपालमा सङ्घ, प्रदेश र स्थानीय तह), र हरेकको आफ्नै अधिकार क्षेत्र हुन्छ। प्रदेश तहलाई कायम राख्ने, बलियो बनाउने, नयाँ ढाँचामा (जस्तै पहिचानका आधारमा) पुनर्संरचना गर्ने वा खारेज गर्ने विषयमा दलहरूको धारणा फरक छ। यो वाम–दक्षिणभन्दा अलग प्रश्न हो।
- Identity-based or regionalपहिचानमा आधारित वा क्षेत्रीय
- Used for parties whose main appeal is to a region or to ethnic, caste, linguistic or other identity groups, often seeking recognition, representation or autonomy. Political scientists trace such parties to the 'centre–periphery' cleavage. In Nepal, demands from Madhesi, Janajati (Adivasi), Dalit and other groups have shaped debates on federalism and inclusion. The label describes a party's base and agenda, not its economic position.मुख्य रूपमा कुनै क्षेत्र वा जातीय, जातिगत, भाषिक वा अन्य पहिचान समूहलाई आधार बनाउने, र प्रायः मान्यता, प्रतिनिधित्व वा स्वायत्तता माग्ने दललाई यसो भनिन्छ। राजनीतिशास्त्रीहरूले यस्ता दलको जरा 'केन्द्र–परिधि' विभाजनमा देख्छन्। नेपालमा मधेसी, जनजाति (आदिवासी), दलित र अन्य समूहका मागले सङ्घीयता र समावेशीकरणसम्बन्धी बहसलाई आकार दिएका छन्। यो शब्दले दलको आधार र एजेन्डा बताउँछ, आर्थिक धारणा होइन।
Nepal-specific questions the left–right scale misses
- Monarchy or republicराजसंस्था वा गणतन्त्र
- Whether Nepal should remain a republic or restore a role for the monarchy. The Constitution of Nepal (2072) describes Nepal as a 'federal democratic republican State'. Parties' own documents state different positions on this.नेपाल गणतन्त्र नै रहने कि राजसंस्थाको कुनै भूमिका फर्काउने भन्ने प्रश्न। नेपालको संविधान, २०७२ ले नेपाललाई 'सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्रात्मक राज्य' भनेको छ। दलहरूका आफ्नै दस्तावेजमा यसबारे फरक धारणा लेखिएका छन्।
- Secular state or Hindu stateधर्मनिरपेक्ष राज्य वा हिन्दु राष्ट्र
- Whether the state should remain secular or be declared a Hindu state (some proposals combine this with religious freedom). The Constitution describes Nepal as 'secular' and explains that 'secular' means religious and cultural freedoms, including protection of religion and culture handed down from time immemorial.राज्य धर्मनिरपेक्ष नै रहने कि हिन्दु राष्ट्र घोषणा गर्ने भन्ने प्रश्न (कतिपय प्रस्तावले यसलाई धार्मिक स्वतन्त्रतासँग जोड्छन्)। संविधानले नेपाललाई 'धर्मनिरपेक्ष' भनेको छ, र धर्मनिरपेक्ष भन्नाले सनातनदेखि चलिआएको धर्म संस्कृतिको संरक्षणलगायत धार्मिक, सांस्कृतिक स्वतन्त्रता सम्झनुपर्छ भनी व्याख्या गरेको छ।
- Federalism and the provincesसङ्घीयता र प्रदेश
- The Constitution sets three levels: Federation, Province and Local Level. Parties' documents range from strengthening the present structure, to redesigning provinces (for example around identity), to abolishing the provincial tier.संविधानले सङ्घ, प्रदेश र स्थानीय तह गरी तीन तह तोकेको छ। दलहरूका दस्तावेजमा हालको संरचना बलियो बनाउनेदेखि प्रदेशलाई नयाँ ढाँचामा (जस्तै पहिचानका आधारमा) पुनर्संरचना गर्ने र प्रदेश तह खारेज गर्नेसम्मका धारणा भेटिन्छन्।
- Identity, inclusion and representationपहिचान, समावेशीकरण र प्रतिनिधित्व
- How the state should recognise and represent Nepal's many caste, ethnic, linguistic, regional and gender groups: through proportional representation, reserved seats, identity-based provinces, or other means. This cuts across the left–right axis.नेपालका धेरै जात, जाति, भाषा, क्षेत्र र लिङ्गका समूहलाई राज्यले कसरी मान्यता र प्रतिनिधित्व दिने: समानुपातिक प्रतिनिधित्व, आरक्षित सिट, पहिचानमा आधारित प्रदेश वा अन्य उपायबाट। यो प्रश्न वाम–दक्षिण अक्षलाई काटेर जान्छ।
- Foreign-policy balanceपरराष्ट्र नीतिको सन्तुलन
- How Nepal should manage relations with its neighbours and other powers, including treaties, aid and investment. The Constitution's directive policy is an independent foreign policy based on the UN Charter, non-alignment, the principles of Panchsheel, international law and world peace. Parties differ on emphasis and on specific agreements.छिमेकी र अन्य शक्ति राष्ट्रसँगको सम्बन्ध, सन्धि, सहायता र लगानी नेपालले कसरी सम्हाल्ने भन्ने प्रश्न। संविधानको निर्देशक नीतिअनुसार नेपालको परराष्ट्र नीति संयुक्त राष्ट्रसङ्घको बडापत्र, असंलग्नता, पञ्चशीलका सिद्धान्त, अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय कानुन र विश्वशान्तिमा आधारित स्वतन्त्र हुनेछ। दलहरूको जोड र खास सम्झौताबारे धारणा फरक छन्।
- Economic modelआर्थिक मोडल
- The Constitution's economic objective refers to the participation of the public, private and cooperative sectors and to a 'socialism-oriented' economy. Party documents use words such as 'socialism', 'liberal economy', 'social market economy' or 'open economy'. These words are quoted on each party page; Policy Nepal does not translate them into a score.संविधानको आर्थिक उद्देश्यमा सार्वजनिक, निजी र सहकारी क्षेत्रको सहभागिता र 'समाजवादउन्मुख' अर्थतन्त्रको उल्लेख छ। दलका दस्तावेजमा 'समाजवाद', 'उदार अर्थतन्त्र', 'सामाजिक बजार अर्थतन्त्र' वा 'खुला अर्थव्यवस्था' जस्ता शब्द प्रयोग भएका छन्। हरेक दलको पृष्ठमा यी शब्द उद्धृत गरिएका छन्; पोलिसी नेपालले यिनलाई अङ्कमा बदल्दैन।
Limits of these labels
- The same label means different things in different countries and periods. A cross-national expert study found that the issues experts associate with 'left' and 'right' vary from society to society, even though economic questions are the most common.एउटै शब्दको अर्थ देश र समयअनुसार फरक हुन्छ। धेरै देशका विज्ञहरूमा गरिएको एउटा अध्ययनले 'वाम' र 'दक्षिण'सँग जोडिने विषय समाजअनुसार फरक हुने देखाएको छ, यद्यपि आर्थिक प्रश्न सबैभन्दा बढी देखिन्छन्।
- Party competition usually has several dimensions. Lijphart lists, among others, socioeconomic, religious, cultural–ethnic, urban–rural, regime-support and foreign-policy dimensions. Squeezing all of these onto one line hides real differences.दलबीचको प्रतिस्पर्धा प्रायः धेरै आयाममा हुन्छ। लिपहार्टले अरूका साथै सामाजिक-आर्थिक, धार्मिक, सांस्कृतिक–जातीय, सहरी–ग्रामीण, शासन व्यवस्थाप्रतिको समर्थन र परराष्ट्र नीतिका आयाम उल्लेख गरेका छन्। यी सबैलाई एउटै रेखामा खाँद्दा वास्तविक भिन्नता लुक्छन्।
- A party's name or historical family (for example 'communist' or 'congress') is not a measurement of its current policies. Comparative datasets therefore code positions separately from names, and their results can disagree with each other.दलको नाम वा ऐतिहासिक परिवार (जस्तै 'कम्युनिष्ट' वा 'काँग्रेस') त्यस दलको हालको नीतिको नाप होइन। त्यसैले तुलनात्मक डाटासेटहरूले नामभन्दा अलग धारणा कोड गर्छन्, र तिनका नतिजा एकअर्कासँग नमिल्न पनि सक्छन्।
- Placements come from different methods: expert surveys (specialists rate parties), coding rules (a fixed rule applied to names or programmes) and encyclopedic descriptions. They use different scales and years, so they cannot be averaged or compared point by point. Our chart shows one source at a time.दलको स्थान फरक विधिबाट आउँछ: विज्ञ सर्वेक्षण (विशेषज्ञले दललाई अङ्क दिन्छन्), कोडिङ नियम (नाम वा कार्यक्रममा तोकिएको नियम लगाइन्छ) र विश्वकोशीय वर्णन। यिनका मापन र वर्ष फरक हुन्छन्, त्यसैले यिनको औसत निकाल्न वा बिन्दु-बिन्दु तुलना गर्न मिल्दैन। हाम्रो चार्टले एक पटकमा एउटा स्रोत मात्र देखाउँछ।
- Parties merge, split and change their programmes. Each statement on a party page carries the date of the document it comes from. A newer document does not erase an older one.दलहरू मिल्छन्, फुट्छन् र आफ्ना कार्यक्रम बदल्छन्। दलको पृष्ठमा रहेका हरेक भनाइसँग त्यो लिइएको दस्तावेजको मिति हुन्छ। नयाँ दस्तावेजले पुरानोलाई मेटाउँदैन।
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