Former Mayor Balen Shah’s bid to woo Madhesh

Kathmandu – Immediately after resigning from the post of Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Balendra Shah – popularly known as Balen- addressed a political rally in southern town of Janakpur.

Balen, who now holds the position of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and its declared prime ministerial candidate, said that people from Madhesh province should go to Kathmandu as a pilgrim but not to plead for their rights.

He urged residents of Madhesh to support RSP to empower provincial governments.

Speaking in fluent Maithili, Shah urged voters to support the RSP not on the basis of identity but competence. “Vote for RSP not because a Madhesi’s son is becoming prime minister, but because the right person is coming into leadership,” he said. He also called for the expansion of the model of socialism practised in Kathmandu Metropolitan City across all seven provinces and 753 local units, citing free education in expensive schools and free treatment in well-equipped hospitals as examples.

He further said the RSP would prioritise the protection of temples, ponds and public land in Madhesh, urging voters to support the party for the development of both the region and the country.

RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane, who also addressed the gathering, said the government that fired on children during the Gen Z movement in September would be held accountable for injustices committed against the country and Madhesh. He reiterated his claim that he was removed from Parliament through deceit and said he would return as the leader of the party with the highest number of votes.

Rejecting regional divisions, Lamichhane said there were no Madhesh- or mountain-centric forces, only “Nepal-centric” ones. He claimed the party’s growing support in Madhesh reflected seeds sown earlier now bearing fruit, adding that the party had arrived late but robustly in the region.

Addressing the party’s programme, Dr Swarnim Wagle, the RSP vice-chair, claimed the party would emerge as the largest force in the upcoming election, saying the strong turnout in Janakpur answered allegations that the party opposed federalism or neglected Madhesh and Far Western region. Other party leaders including former independent MP Dr Amresh Kumar Singh, who also joined RSP, addressed the rally and asked voters to vote for ‘ghanti’ (bell) – the election symbol of RSP.