Rastriya Swatantra Party Names Balen Shah as Prime Ministerial Candidate, Dismisses Rumors

Kathmandu. Newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) Raju Pandey of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has clarified that senior leader Balen Shah is the party's candidate for Prime Minister. Speaking to journalists, MP Pandey dismissed the circulating rumors about the prime ministerial candidate as completely baseless and malicious, urging the public not to fall for such misconceptions.

He made it clear that no office-bearer at any level has the authority to deviate from the party's decision, even by a comma or a full stop. Asserting that the RSP does what it says, he stated that no one has the right to speak outside the party's official line.

Responding to a question from a journalist about rumors suggesting an internal effort to prevent Balen Shah from becoming Prime Minister, Pandey warned that the public will no longer tolerate baseless talk. He directly refuted such rumors, claiming they hold no truth.

It was his view that these rumors were merely malicious acts directed against the RSP. He urged everyone not to follow such empty chatter, asserting that the RSP is straightforward and clear about its goals and agenda.

Commenting on the deteriorating state of the country, MP Pandey opined that problems cannot be solved by merely criticizing political parties and leaders. He stated that a fundamental change is also necessary within the bureaucracy that runs the country. He emphasized that the country cannot move forward unless the administrative machinery outside of politics is reformed, stressing the need for a change in the working style of the bureaucracy.

Furthermore, Pandey warned that the RSP will take a very strict stance regarding corruption and good governance. He announced that the RSP will attack corruption mercilessly. He claimed that everyone involved in corruption will be brought under the purview of action. Mentioning that the country currently needs good governance, he stated that an ordinary citizen visiting a government office should be able to experience good governance. He added that the RSP will not hesitate to establish good governance without showing favoritism to anyone.