KATHMANDU, May 25: Independent mayoral candidate of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Balendra Shah, who is leading the polls in the vote counting by a wide margin has thanked all the people who voted for him, through a post on Facebook. 

It may be noted that Shah will still outbest his closest rival candidates Keshav Sthapit of CPN-UML and Srijana Singh of NC even if all the votes which are yet to be counted go to his rivals. 

“I want to thank all the people who voted for us and supported us in the local election of 2022,  along with those who took part in the election. For now, all we can say is that the people of Kathmandu trust that we are competent enough to shoulder the responsibility of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.  It is a matter of trust. There is no victory or defeat in matters of trust. 

Shah, who has seemingly secured his victory, is far ahead of NC’s Srijana Singh and UML’s Keahav Sthapit in the ongoing vote count. 

Balen writes, “Let’s forget victories and defeats with the conclusion of the counting of votes. The day we will be able to implement what we have mentioned in our manifesto is the day we will all rejoice our victory together. But for now, let us not hold victory rallies and give even the slightest clue that others are defeated. It is just that the one who wins an election gets more votes than others, not a majority. In my own case, I might be able to garner 35 percent of the votes. What this means is, except for the invalid votes, the remaining 50 percent of the voters have chosen others. We must be careful if our actions make those 35 percent who voted for us hold their heads high while the remaining voters have to hold their heads low. And, we must collaborate with all for the progress of the metropolis. 

He also said that there is no need for his supporters across the country to bother coming to Kathmandu for a victory rally. Stating that the campaign belongs to everyone, Shah said that he will be happy if every Nepali supports it from wherever they are.
“If you want to express your happiness over the success of the campaign so far, you can organize ‘thanksgiving rallies’ in your own areas, which will leave a more effective impact. That will give out the message that this is not just Balen’s campaign but a campaign for the whole of Nepal,” he writes. 

“The road ahead now is not easy. The real test of our campaign will begin now. The paths we take, the steps we make and our efforts will influence our campaign and the metropolis’s progress,” he further writes. 

We need as much vigilance as we need your support and suggestions. Warn us immediately if you see us taking the wrong path, that will keep us connected. We will call out for help the moment we feel the need of your presence and support,” Balen wrote. 

“For the time being, let us try to make this campaign nationwide. Let’s hope to find ‘Balens’ in every locality and place who can shoulder the responsibility of change on the basis of the people’s mandate. Here begins our journey to change the face of Kathmandu. Let's move united.”

 
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