Buddha Air owner registers new Political Party, Dinesh Prasai appointed as chairman

KATHMANDU: A new political party has officially entered Nepal’s political arena, spearheaded by prominent businessman and Buddha Air Managing Director Birendra Bahadur Basnet, alongside noted sociologist Dr. Dinesh Prasai and other professionals. The party, named the Dynamic Democratic Party (D.D.P.), has been formally registered with the Election Commission of Nepal on Thursday.

According to the Election Commission, the party has submitted all required documents and fulfilled legal procedures for registration. The new party positions itself as a reform-oriented alternative to the country’s traditional political forces, which it accuses of being oppositional, self-serving, and disconnected from the public.

Dr. Dinesh Prasai, known for his expertise in sociology and policy analysis, has been appointed as the Party President, while Piyush Prasad Kayastha serves as General Secretary. Buddha Air’s Managing Director Basnet is listed as a Central Committee Member, marking one of the few instances in recent years where a leading private-sector figure has formally entered party politics.

The party charter includes unique structural and ethical provisions — it restricts the party from joining a government if it secures less than 20 percent of total votes, and prohibits key office bearers from contesting general elections directly. However, Basnet, as a working committee member, remains eligible to run for public office.

The party manifesto sharply criticizes Nepal’s existing political landscape, stating:

“If politics of opposition and professional self-interest continue in the next election, Nepal will plunge into a deep, dark abyss — escaping from which will demand immense effort and sacrifice.”

It calls for a new wave of politics based on honesty, sacrifice, and innovation, urging citizens to unite under a vision of “creative and thoughtful politics.” The manifesto stresses the need to replace “power-centered governance” with integrity-driven and development-focused leadership.

Positioning itself as a hybrid of business acumen, academic insight, and social responsibility, the Dynamic Democratic Party aims to build credibility among professionals and the youth population, pledging to prioritize good governance, employment creation, development, and inclusive leadership.

Observers view the entry of Basnet and Dr. Prasai as a significant move that could reshape Nepal’s political dynamics, particularly if the party succeeds in appealing to urban middle-class voters and the professional community frustrated with the existing political establishment.

Nepal’s political sphere, dominated for decades by traditional parties such as Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and Maoist Centre, has seen growing public disillusionment due to corruption scandals, lack of governance, and unemployment. Analysts suggest that the formation of the Dynamic Democratic Party signals a growing demand for merit-based and policy-oriented politics, potentially echoing the reformist momentum that previously fueled the rise of the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

If the party maintains its commitment to transparency and policy-driven politics, it could emerge as an influential centrist force representing Nepal’s entrepreneurial, educated, and reform-minded demographics.