Parties are busy bringing out manifestos targeting the upcoming House of Representatives elections. Various parties, including the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and the Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal, which have reached parliament and government in the past, have already brought out manifestos.

The manifestos of some parties, including the Congress, UML, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), are yet to be released. The parties that have been in power for a long time have been accused of misusing mechanisms related to national security and internal security. The parties have been failing in modernizing the security mechanism, managing resources, and implementing policies in an efficient manner. The most recent time was during the Gen-G movement when questions were raised about security management and coordination. However, those parties are yet to express their views on national security through their manifestos for the upcoming elections. The parties that have made their agendas public through their manifestos have prioritized good governance, security, and maintaining prosperity. However, there seems to be a discrepancy between their commitments and actions. The activities during their time in power and the public commitments and actions now appear to be different.

NCP accused of bringing the security apparatus into a political quagmire

Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led NCP has prioritized national security. Dahal's party, which has been in power and government continuously since 2063, did not make any concrete efforts to strengthen national security while in government. On the contrary, it is accused of bringing the security apparatus into a political quagmire.

Dahal became Prime Minister 3 times during this period. Dahal's own party's co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal became Prime Minister once. Baburam Bhattarai from the Maoists also became Prime Minister during this period. Even while sitting in the Defense and Home Ministries, the NCP leaders have been running the government and power. However, they have not taken any concrete initiative to free it from political pressure and influence and develop it into a strong and effective institution. The IGP scandal and the work of forcing this dispute to be taken to court occurred when Dahal became Prime Minister in 2073 BS. This is considered the IGP scandal. When Army Chief Rukmangat Katwal was dismissed from his post in 2065, Dahal was the Prime Minister and the Maoist Ram Bahadur Thapa was the Defense Minister. Dahal himself was forced to resign from his post after the issue became controversial. The government's recommendation to dismiss Katwal was blocked by the then President Ram Baran Yadav. Dahal was also accused of playing extreme politics in transfers and promotions in the police and armed forces. Not only this, the federal law on provincial police has not yet been enacted despite the promulgation of the constitution in 2072. Dahal became Prime Minister twice after the promulgation of the constitution. However, this law could not be enacted both times. However, in the manifesto, the NCP has stated its commitment to strengthen national security. The NCP will provide the army, police, armed police and the National Investigation Department with modern weapons, equipment, technology and physical infrastructure to make them professional and capable. It has committed to making improvements in rations, uniforms, health and housing facilities.

‘The federal police integration will be fully implemented within 1 year in accordance with the spirit of federalism. The necessary Federal Nepal Police Act, Armed Police Act and Coordination Acts will be issued immediately for this,’ the NCP has said in its manifesto on national security, ‘To ensure the morale and long-term service of security personnel, the pension system for police and armed forces personnel will be legally implemented at 16 years and for junior officers at 18 years. Diplomatic and institutional initiatives will be taken to further increase the participation of Nepali security personnel in peacekeeping missions.’

The manifesto also mentions the preparation and implementation of a timely national security policy, the inclusion of cyber security, internal security, energy security, biological/chemical risks, and security challenges arising from climate change in the security policy.

A national cyber security policy and command center will be established by strengthening cyber and information security mechanisms, and an integrated security strategy will be implemented to control border security, human trafficking, drug trafficking, extremism, and internal conflict.

Allegation that the RPP did not make concrete efforts to increase the effectiveness of national security even after coming to power 

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has also raised the issue of national security as a priority in its manifesto . However, in the past, the RPP has not made concrete efforts to increase its effectiveness when it has become a power partner with other parties . However, since 2062/63, the RPP has not reached power as the Prime Minister, Home Minister and other decision-making positions and powers . The RPP's manifesto 'Sankalp-Patra', targeting 21 Falgun, has prioritized the issue of national security .

'Our main goal will be to protect our independence, sovereignty and national integrity, which have remained intact even in difficult moments of history . Necessary reforms will be made while keeping the traditional pride of the Nepali Army, which is the last bastion of national security, intact,' the RPP has said, 'In addition, the skills, development and efficiency of the army will be given top priority. Concrete steps will be taken to make the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department stronger, more effective and highly morale-enhanced and develop them into organizations free from political interference.'

JSP accused of not raising a strong voice on strengthening national security

The Madhesi Shakti Janata Samajwadi Party, which emerged on the foundation of the 2062/63 People's Movement and the subsequent Madhesh Movement, has also brought a manifesto giving priority to national security. In the past, JSP Chairman Upendra Yadav, who is currently an expanded form of the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum, and many leaders of this party have reached the government in various roles in the last 20 years. Although it has not reached important ministries and responsibilities such as the Prime Minister and Home Minister, this party has not raised a strong voice on strengthening national security while in the government. Instead, when he was the Defense Minister, JSP leader Sharat Singh Bhandari had to resign from his post due to controversial statements made about the army. However, in the upcoming election-focused manifesto, JSP has put forward the issue of strengthening national security with importance.

Regarding national security, the JSP manifesto states, ‘National security, integrity, independence, freedom, sovereignty, borders, environmental protection, economic development of citizens and socio-cultural values ​​and norms should be maintained with all friendly countries and bilateral and multilateral relations should be expanded to move towards peace, stability, economic development, transformation and prosperity.’

Small parties including NEMKIPA, Ujjaya Nepal Party, Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party have also prioritized issues such as national security through their manifestos.

The manifesto of the Nepal Communist Party of Nepal (NCPN) states that they are committed to continuously cooperating with the international community in protecting and promoting national interests and the independence, security and prosperity of the nation, considering the changing world politics and geopolitical situation. The NCP has included in the manifesto issues such as adopting a strict policy on good governance, including nationalizing the assets of the corrupt, introducing a death penalty law, and preventing foreign interference by strengthening national security.