Barshaman Pun Says Social Media-Driven Politics Won’t Last, Targets Nepal’s New Political Forces

CPN leader Barshaman Pun has dismissed the staying power of political forces he says are built on social media momentum, arguing that such movements may rise quickly but will not endure. Speaking at a program in Kathmandu, Pun singled out the Rastriya Swatantra Party and warned that groups without strong ideological roots are likely to collapse over time.

Pun framed the current wave of digital-age politics as a temporary phase rather than a lasting shift in Nepal’s political order. His message was blunt: parties that emerge from online popularity may capture attention fast, but they do not automatically develop the structure, discipline, or political depth needed to survive long-term.

What Pun said

According to Pun, political strength based on social media trends is fragile. He argued that established parties will ultimately remain responsible for governing the country after newer forces fade, positioning traditional political organizations as the only durable actors in Nepal’s future political landscape.

His remarks were directed at the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which has grown rapidly in recent years and built visibility through a strong online presence and anti-establishment messaging. Pun suggested that this kind of rise can be impressive, but warned that it does not replace the need for ideological clarity and organizational depth.

Why the remarks matter

Pun’s comments reflect a wider tension in Nepalese politics between legacy parties and newer movements that have used digital platforms to connect directly with voters. In recent years, social media has become a powerful political tool in Nepal, helping challenger forces bypass traditional party structures and reach younger, disillusioned audiences more effectively.

At the same time, Pun’s criticism also taps into a familiar argument from established leaders: that online popularity is not the same as governing capacity. By emphasizing ideology, discipline, and long-term responsibility, he is defending the role of older parties at a moment when public trust in mainstream politics has been under pressure.

A broader political fight

The exchange highlights a deeper struggle over who gets to define Nepal’s political future. One side sees social media-powered movements as a necessary disruption to an old and often unpopular system. The other side sees them as unstable, personality-driven, and vulnerable to collapse once the online momentum fades.

Pun’s remarks place him firmly in the second camp. He argued that while new political waves may attract attention, the burden of actually running the country will still fall on established forces once the excitement of digital politics subsides.

For now, his comments add more fuel to the debate over whether Nepal’s fast-changing political landscape is being reshaped for good, or simply entering another short-lived cycle of online-driven enthusiasm.