KATHMANDU, Dec 23: Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, has expressed his willingness to be the common candidate for the prime ministership in the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5, representing the ‘alternative forces’ led by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
Multiple sources, including close aides of Balen, told Republica that Balen has agreed to run for the post if all ‘new forces’ can be brought together. RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane reportedly persuaded Shah to take up the role.
“It was Lamichhane who approached Balen to lead the next government under their party,” said a close aide on condition of anonymity. The source added that Lamichhane chose Balen because he cannot publicly assume a position himself due to facing multiple criminal charges, despite being eligible to contest the election.
Balen and Rabi reportedly held at least four hours of discussions at the private residence of musician Asim Shah, whose brother, Aasif Shah, is a lawmaker of the dissolved HoR. Both returned from the meeting in a private car, a photo of which, taken by journalist Kamal Sargam, has gone viral on social media.
During the talks, Balen reportedly endorsed Rabi’s purpose, with one condition: all alternative forces, including Gen Z representatives and Kul Man Ghising-led Ujyalo Nepal, must be united, a source told Republica.
Meanwhile, Rabi faced internal challenges within the party over two potential prime ministerial contenders — Swarnim Wagle, vice-chairman, and DP Aryal, acting chairman. Swarnim was initially expected to join the discussion between Rabi and Balen, but was later not included.
It is also reported that Balen has agreed to support Rabi in the next election once he is legally cleared of all allegations. Rabi is facing multiple legal charges, including a swindling case in the cooperative scam, organized crime, and money laundering. The Butwal bench of the Tulsipur High Court recently approved Lamichhane’s release on bail in connection with the cooperative fraud case.
Since his release, Lamichhane has become increasingly active politically, meeting Prime Minister Sushila Karki and addressing the public in Chitwan, where he pledged to fight for the betterment of the generation rather than for himself or his party.