Breaking news from Kathmandu: Mayor Balen Shah has resigned ahead of schedule to pursue a seat in Nepal’s House of Representatives elections set for March 5. The announcement came Sunday via his office, with the resignation document passed to Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol under provisions of the 2015 Constitution and 2017 Local Government Act.
Shah’s tenure, spanning three-and-a-half years, saw sweeping changes to Kathmandu’s infrastructure and a surge in youth political engagement. An architect by training and rapper by passion, he rarely engages the press but commands loyalty through anti-corruption rhetoric targeting legacy parties.
Rumors swirl around his candidacy in Jhapa-5, pitting him against former PM KP Sharma Oli in a contest laden with prime ministerial undertones. Their history of confrontations dates back to Oli’s time in office. Shah’s influence peaked post-September Gen Z protests, aiding the current Sushila Karki government’s setup. His RSP integration in December seals his path to party leadership and PM contention.
Winning as an independent mayor in May 2022, Shah heralded a new era for Nepali youth in politics. This bold pivot from city hall to parliament underscores shifting dynamics, where fresh faces challenge political veterans in what’s shaping up as Nepal’s most watched electoral clash.