The Balendra Shah government of the Rastriya Swatantra Party is using ordinances to bypass parliamentary debate and evict families from Kathmandu Valley [1, 2].

These actions signal a shift toward executive-led governance that critics said undermines the democratic legislative process in Nepal. The ability to implement law via ordinance allows the administration to act without the immediate consent of Parliament, raising concerns about the balance of power.

Starting April 30, 2026, the government launched an eviction drive targeting settlements along riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley [2, 3]. Officials said that these settlements are illegal and pose significant risks to the residents and the environment [1, 2]. However, the drive has displaced numerous families, leading to accusations that the state is ignoring due process [3].

Opposition parties have responded with criticism, saying that the government is doubling down on the use of ordinances to avoid political friction [2]. They said that the administration is using emergency-style powers to push through a domestic agenda that would otherwise face stiff resistance in the legislature [1, 2].

Analysts have noted that the combination of forced evictions and the avoidance of parliamentary oversight creates a volatile political environment [3]. The government continues to maintain that the riverbank clearances are necessary for public safety, and urban planning [1].

“The Balendra Shah government is using ordinances to bypass parliamentary debate.”

The use of executive ordinances to implement controversial policies like mass evictions suggests a tension between the administration's desire for rapid urban reform and the country's democratic norms. By bypassing the legislature, the Rastriya Swatantra Party risks deepening the divide with opposition parties and potentially facing legal challenges over the displacement of citizens without standard due process.