Kathmandu’s former mayor Balen Shah made a dramatic entry into national politics with his debut speech in Maithili, captivating thousands in Nepal’s Janakpur city on Monday. Just a day after resigning from his position as mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Shah drew massive crowds eager to hear the independent leader’s vision for the country.
Shah, who will contest the upcoming parliamentary elections on March 5, has been named the prime ministerial candidate by his new party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Speaking at the party’s ‘Parivartan Uddoghs Sabha’ rally, the Madhesi-origin leader connected deeply with the audience by addressing them in their native tongue, a move that underscored his commitment to grassroots representation.
‘Good days are coming for you. Vote for the bell symbol. Ensure the right government comes to power—vote for the bell,’ Shah urged, referring to RSP’s election symbol. He cautioned voters against supporting him merely because a Madhesi son could become prime minister, but rather to secure power in capable hands.
If elected, Shah’s ascent to premiership would mark a historic first for Nepal’s Madhesi community, long overshadowed by hill Brahmin dominance in the nation’s political landscape. During his address, he highlighted Janakpur’s immense tourism potential as the birthplace of Sita and the site of Rama-Sita’s wedding from the Ramayana epic. Shah envisioned transforming the city into a premier wedding destination, countering the trend of Nepalis opting for foreign venues.
RSP chief Ravi Lamichhane praised Shah as a competent leader, reflecting on his own legal battles involving cooperative scams and hinting at possible politically motivated arrests. Lamichhane expressed confidence in Nepal’s future with Shah at the helm.
Shah is set to contest from Jhapa-5 constituency, pitting him directly against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of the CPN-UML, who has long held the seat. This high-stakes showdown is being billed as a battle for the next premiership.
The architect-turned-rapper rose to fame winning the Kathmandu mayoralty as an independent in May 2022, popular among youth for challenging the establishment. After joining RSP in late December following a seven-point agreement, Shah resigned as mayor and was appointed senior leader. Post-resignation, he visited the party office for the first time on Sunday, solidifying his national ambitions.
Shah’s appeal lies in his rare media interactions and bold stance against power elites, resonating strongly with disillusioned voters seeking change in Nepal’s democracy.