KATHMANDU: The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is launching its ‘Citizens, Policy and Leadership’ programme today (Monday) to enhance direct interaction between elected representatives and the public.

The party said the initiative reflects the democratic principle that elected leaders should remain in regular contact with citizens and remain accountable to them. It aims to foster a political culture that is responsive to public concerns, transparent in its functioning and focused on delivering results.

As part of the programme, RSP ministers will be required to visit the party’s central office at least once a month to interact directly with citizens and party members.

RSP Parliamentary Party Whip Prakash Chandra Pariyar said the initiative seeks to create a direct channel through which concerns raised at the grassroots can reach the state’s policy formulation and implementation processes.

During the first phase, an hour-long evening session will be open to the general public. Ministers participating in the programme will listen directly to citizens’ complaints, expectations and recommendations.

The second phase will involve ministers, members of the party’s Central Committee and members of the House of Representatives. They will hold detailed discussions on contemporary, multidimensional and policy-related national issues, taking into consideration the concerns and suggestions gathered during the first phase.

Whip Pariyar said the programme would help improve coordination among citizens, the executive and ministers, the legislature and lawmakers, and the party organization and Central Committee. He added that stronger coordination among these groups would support the development of a common strategy for addressing citizens’ concerns more effectively.