There have been many reactions following the newly appointed Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai's decision to travel in Mustang, the only four wheel drive vehicle assembled in Nepal. People thronged the streets from the president's office to Singha Darbar to see the new prime minister in Mustang. Some called it cheap publicity and some took it as a gesture encouraging local products. Despite the criticism, Prime Minister Bhattarai's decision signals towards taking the country's economy on a self reliant path.

Bhattarai, during his tenure as the finance minister in 2008-9 was also strongly focussed on making the Nepali economy self-reliant through economic programs inclined towards socialism. Even though those programs were discontinued by successive governments, his efforts left a mark.

Although the car used by the prime minister is assembled in Nepal, all its parts are made abroad. His decision to travel in a locally made vehicle like the Mustang is praise worthy. But the environment to manufacture vehicles locally in Nepal cannot be created easily. It requires a long term commitment to economic independence. For this, Dr. Bhattarai needs to take concrete steps that will be given continuity even in the future. The question however remains whether or not the vehicle used by the PM will be the 'state car'. It is yet to be gauged if the safety features of Mustang are adequate for the head of government's security.