Thousands flocked to Janakpur on Monday to witness Balen Shah’s first foray into parliamentary politics, delivered entirely in Maithili just one day after quitting as Kathmandu’s mayor. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) sensation is gearing up for the March 5 elections, with the party already declaring him their prime ministerial frontrunner.
At the packed ‘Parivartan Uddoghs Sabha,’ Shah’s native-language speech resonated powerfully with Madhesi crowds, fostering a sense of inclusion long absent in Nepal’s Pahadi-dominated politics. He dismissed identity-based votes, urging support for competent rule: ‘Vote the bell for good times ahead and rightful power.’
Should Shah triumph, he’d pioneer Madhesi leadership at the apex, challenging decades of hill Brahmin sway. Shah also promoted Janakpur’s mythological allure as Sita’s birthplace and Rama’s wedding locale, advocating its rise as a domestic wedding magnet amid rising foreign preferences.
RSP head Ravi Lamichhane hailed Shah amid his own legal woes from cooperative scandals, suggesting political vendettas but reassurance in Shah’s emergence. The duo’s alliance stems from Shah’s December integration into RSP post a seven-point deal, leading to his mayoral exit and senior party role.
Electorally, Shah targets Jhapa-5, locking horns with veteran KP Oli of CPN-UML. Viewed as a premiership preview, their rivalry echoes prior confrontations, notably under Oli’s PMship and Shah’s pivotal post-protest role in Sushila Karki’s coalition.
Popular with youth for his rapper background, architectural expertise, and anti-establishment fire—evident in his 2022 independent mayoral win—Shah rarely courts media. His calculated moves position RSP as a fresh force against Nepal’s stagnant power structures, promising transformative governance.