Balen Shah Campaigns in Jhapa-5 by Highlighting In-Law Connection, Drawing Enthusiastic Crowds

Biratnagar. Candidate Balen Shah from Jhapa-5 has found a new strategy for election campaigning. When meeting voters, he has started saying, "My in-laws are right here."

Busy with door-to-door campaigning in various parts of his constituency, he is trying to build an emotional connection with the voters. His wife Sabina Kafle's maternal home, which is Balen's in-laws' place, is in Urlabari, Morang. He has started introducing himself as the son-in-law of this area.

Dressed in a suit and tie and wearing glasses, surrounded by security personnel and supporters, Balen walks through the narrow alleys and settlements of Jhapa. Upon hearing of his arrival, people come out onto the streets. Some watch from their rooftops, while others approach him with flower garlands.

On Monday, upon seeing Balen, an elderly man joined his hands and asked, "Balen Babu, are you well?" Balen returned the greeting with extreme humility by bowing his head. A local shook hands with Balen and said, "Remember us, don't forget us! Don't meet us today and forget us tomorrow." Balen smiled and assured him, "My in-laws are right here."

Watching the scene there, it seemed as if he was not visiting to ask for votes for the first time, but rather that he was a local returning home after a long time.

When women welcomed Balen with bouquets and garlands, he appeared emotional. Children to the elderly scrambled to take selfies with Balen and shake his hand.

A middle-aged woman spoke to Balen very emotionally, touching his face through the car window and caressing his cheek. She said in a choked voice, "Babu, my son! Be careful. May no one harm you."

That woman also expressed political frustration. Targeting UML, she said, "We understand how these people have behaved and how much trouble they have caused. Now you must do something, Babu." Balen listened carefully to the mother's words and agreed by joining his hands. This scene illustrates how fed up the public is with traditional political parties and how much hope they place in new faces like Balen.

Another elderly man complained to Balen about the road problems. Complaining that they could not sit due to the dust, he said, "We only ate dust, Babu, please build the road." Since the news of the work Balen did in Kathmandu has reached the villages of Jhapa, locals were seeking him out with their problems.

During the campaign, Balen visited a temple. There was a large crowd waiting to see him. Supporters chanted slogans of "Long live Balen Shah" while ringing the temple bell. People showered him with flowers, and many even tried to lift him onto their shoulders.

Jhapa has a major problem concerning squatters and land ownership documents. Some locals shared their pain of having their land ownership documents taken by others, forcing them to become squatters. They said, "We have been voting since '48 [Bikram Sambat], but no one did anything. Now you are our only hope."

Balen, who speaks little, listened to many.

In another scene, some women were talking to Balen about the compulsion of their children having to go abroad. "Even after educating our children, there is no work in the country; everyone has to go abroad. Now, please create an environment where employment can be found within the country," was their plea. Since Balen represents the youth, they held a faint hope that some change might occur in the country.

Balen's presence in Jhapa-5, considered a stronghold of UML, has startled everyone. For Balen, who is overwhelmed by flower garlands and blessings, this affection is as significant as the challenge it presents. It appears that the voters have placed their trust in him.