Nepal, Jan. 1 -- As a restructured political force, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is positioning itself to challenge Nepal's long-established parties in the election announced by the interim government for March 5.

Political analysts say the party's strength appears to have improved compared to earlier elections, particularly after it unified over the weekend with two prominent figures widely regarded as challengers to Nepal's long-dominant political leadership.

On December 28, the RSP formally unified with Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen. This was followed on Monday by the merger of the Ujyalo Nepal Party, whose patron is former Nepal Electricity Authority chief Kulman Ghising. The party r...