There is a famous saying in Nepal’s political circles: people in Kathmandu use umbrellas when it rains in New Delhi. This often means that India has had a significant influence on Nepali politics.

 

With the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in power for almost a decade now in India, there is a general apprehension among more progressive Nepalis about whether the Hindutva wind is blowing from across the border.

 

Leaders across the political spectrum in Nepal will try to cash in on Hindu votes during the upcoming elections, observers and experts the Post talked to say. This prospect has been discussed widely, particularly after former prime minister and CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli showed interest in religious matters during his final days in power, they say.

 

“Religious agenda could take precedence in the upcoming elections,” said Bhaskar Gautam, a political scientist. “Given that a party that adheres to Hindutva has been in power in India, it may have an impact on Nepal’s politics. It is possible that candidates will try to exploit religious sentiments this election cycle.”

 

As secularism is enshrined in the Nepali constitution, one might argue that attempting to exploit religious sentiments for political advantage wouldn’t benefit leaders who endorsed the statute. But an increasing interest of Nepali politicians in religious activities has led analysts to speculate that Hindu nationalism might become a major plank in the November elections.

 

There’s already a key constituency in Nepal which wants to revert the country to a Hindu state. There’s the Rastriya Prajatantra Party that openly advocates the idea of reinstating monarchy in the country.

 

CK Lal, a political analyst who is also a columnist for the Post, said while there’s a likelihood that the parties will try to cash in on Hindu sentiments, the level of fragmentation along religious lines we see in Indian politics is unlikely to repeat here.

 

“On Hinduism, every political party in Nepal is in the same boat,” Lal told the Post. “Even while there’s a likelihood that Hinduism will be an agenda during the elections, it will not be a significant factor.”

 

The five-party ruling coalition, which has already announced an electoral alliance, is currently working on sharing seats among the parties. While the coalition is working on a seat-sharing deal, the opposition CPN-UML may be trying to attract conservative votes, Gautam said.