Rastriya Swatantra Party's PM Candidate Balen Shah Engages in Intensive Nationwide Election Campaign

Kathmandu. Balendra Shah (Balen), put forward as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the upcoming House of Representatives election by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), is currently immersed in a nationwide election campaign.

Shah, who resigned from his post as the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City to enter the national political arena, is focusing his attention on the federal capital and the provinces. After concluding a week-long campaign tour across Madhes and Koshi provinces, Balen returned to Kathmandu on Saturday evening.

Immediately upon his return to Kathmandu, he was seen busy formulating election strategies and holding discussions with candidates. All day Sunday, he was engaged in various rounds of discussions regarding preparations for the upcoming elections at the residence of his aide, Kumar Ben, in Jwagal, Lalitpur.

Balen Went to the Eastern Hills to Connect with Madhes' Enthusiasm

Balen began his election campaign from Janakpurdham, the capital of Madhes Province. Addressing a massive rally in Janakpur, he attempted to understand the sentiments of the Madhes people. There, he met with various political and social figures and announced the launch of his federal journey from the soil of Madhes.

After concluding the program in Madhes, Balen headed towards Koshi Province, where he is contesting the election from Jhapa-5. Entering Koshi Province on the evening of Magh 5, Balen started his journey from Urlabari in Morang. On that day, he stayed at his in-laws' house on Pashupati Marg, Urlabari Municipality-7, and held some informal meetings locally.

The next morning, he became active in building the election atmosphere. He went to Jhapa Constituency Number 5 and registered his candidacy. After filing his candidacy, Balen stayed in Damak and engaged directly with his supporters and well-wishers. At the house of Lucky Sitoula in Damak-5, he met collectively with more than 3,000 supporters from Jhapa, Sunsari, and Morang to present his agenda.

'He went to the hills because he wanted to connect the enthusiasm of Madhes with the eastern region, even though his candidacy is in Jhapa,' says a member of Balen's strategic team. 'Because there was a fear that alternative votes in the eastern region might go to the Labour-Culture Party in the first phase, Balen showed activity there early on. Balen will come again in the next phase,' he added.

Immediately afterward, on the evening of Magh 7, he reached Ilam, stayed overnight in the headquarters, and interacted with the youth and supporters there. The following day, Magh 8, he reached Taplejung. After meeting supporters in the headquarters of Taplejung, he proceeded to visit the famous religious site Pathibhara Temple. After worshipping at Pathibhara, Balen stayed overnight at Upper Phedi the same day and continued his journey via Panchthar towards Tehrathum. In Tehrathum and Sankhuwasabha, he delivered joint speeches alongside the candidates from the respective regions.

Balen arrived in Dhankuta after concluding the program in Sankhuwasabha on Saturday. He toured the Dhankuta headquarters by vehicle. He returned to Kathmandu from Biratnagar on Saturday evening. Although he returned to Kathmandu, his secretariat team and wife, Sabina Kafle, remain in Damak. They have a schedule set for door-to-door canvassing starting the next day.

Balen's Focus Ranging from Social Media to Speeches and Strategy

After returning to Kathmandu, Balen intensified briefings and discussions with candidates starting Sunday morning. Kumar Ben's house in Jwagal, Lalitpur, has now become Balen's 'Strategic Center.' He gathered updates on the progress of the election campaign, both separately and collectively, from candidates in all 15 constituencies within the Kathmandu Valley.

Influential leaders, including Ranjana Darshana, the candidate for Kathmandu Constituency Number 1, and Raju Nath Pandey, the candidate for Constituency Number 3, were present at the meeting. Balen also provided instructions to the candidates regarding the precautions and strategies to adopt while campaigning.

According to the participating leaders, Balen showed deep concern regarding the remarks candidates make on social media, the language used in their speeches, and the responses given against rival candidates. He emphasized making the election campaign very civil and grand. 'Once in the electoral field, one must be strategically ready to counter every attack from the opposition, but our presentation must always be dignified,' said a candidate close to him. After concluding discussions with candidates in the valley in the first phase, he has a schedule to communicate with candidates from other districts of Bagmati Province late into Sunday night.

Travel Plan for Sudurpaschim and Karnali

Balen is preparing to leave for Dhangadhi early Monday morning, shortening his stay in Kathmandu. From Dhangadhi, he will take command of the election campaign in Sudurpaschim Province. He is scheduled to have a program in Lamki Chuha, Kailali. He will also participate in another program in the afternoon at the party office in Bhalka.

According to Bhupdev Shah, a close associate of Balen who is the candidate for Achham Constituency Number 2, Balen's three-day journey will be very busy. Starting from Dhangadhi, the journey will pass through the hilly districts of Sudurpaschim and reach Achham. Following that, he is scheduled to reach Surkhet, the capital of Karnali Province.

After completing meetings with candidates and election rallies for Karnali Province in Surkhet, he will return to Kathmandu. According to Shah, who is close to Balen, there is a possibility that more programs in some local districts might be added during this three-day tour based on local needs and demands from supporters.

Balen considers this visit very important to strengthen his presence in Western Nepal. Shah stated that the plan is to gather direct feedback from the public and justify his candidacy by reaching as many geographical areas as possible in a short time.