Nepal seeks a new deal: For Balen, it’s a crown of thorns

Kathmandu's former mayor, Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, has secured a landslide victory over former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in his own constituency, marking a major shift away from traditional old guard parties. According to the vote count released by the Election Commission of Nepal, Shah received 68,348 votes, far surpassing Oli, who garnered 18,734 votes in Jhapa-5.

Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is on the brink of a landslide victory in the country’s general election — the first since deadly Gen Z-led protests last year.

The election result reflects deep frustration with decades of political instability, corruption, nepotism and youth unemployment. After years of Nepal’s politics being dominated by a triumvirate of parties, voters have rung the bell for change. Nepali voters aren’t just switching parties. They are replacing an old guard tainted by allegations of corruption and political impunity.

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India has welcomed the successful conduct of the March 5 election. The Indian government has expressed willingness to work with the new government. For India, a stable Nepal is crucial for securing its open border and accelerating investments in various sectors. Balen Shah's rise signifies a shift away from traditional pro-India and pro-China labels to dignified bilateral relations with Nepal’s close neighbours.

Last year, youths protested on streets against the ban on social media sites as well as bigger issues of corruption and nepotism among Nepal’s political elite. The protests plunged the country into a whirlwind of violence that left 76 people dead and many injured.  Sushila Karki took the reins of an interim government on September 12 after a four-day power vacuum that left parliament, courts and government buildings in flames.

As prime minister of the interim government, Sushila Karki has been widely credited for her leadership in conducting an election amid security challenges. Security forces also played a vital role in conducting the election peacefully. Nepal police, whose morals were low during the Gen Z protests, performed very well to ensure security in the country. The role of Nepal Police Chief Dan Bahadur Karki was very commendable in coordinating safety and security during the election.

Nepal, perched between giant neighbours China and India, has struggled with political instability for decades. Since 2008, the country has seen 14 different governments, not one of which has completed a full five-year term. Corruption has permeated every level of politics, holding the economy, the country, and the average Nepali worker back for years.

Nepal’s younger generations have been hit hardest. Youth unemployment is around 20 per cent, forcing thousands of young people to toil abroad as migrants.

The real test for Shah and the Rastriya Swatantra Party will be in governance. Their campaign tapped into demands for anti-corruption drives and better service delivery. As former mayor, Shah earned a reputation by bringing down commercial and residential buildings that were built without proper permits. He widened the pavements of Kathmandu's major cities, and his administration managed garbage collection efficiently, implementing several measures to improve cleanliness, including daily road cleaning and maintenance. If the RSP ends up leading the next government with Balen Shah as the Prime Minister, as it looks likely, he should scale that up nationally.

The new government should prioritise practical steps like investing in education and skills training to keep young talent at home and accelerating infrastructure projects that can boost tourism and energy exports.

The new government should build constructive relations with neighbours. The upcoming government should focus on solving disputes with neighbours through dialogues and diplomacy. It should maintain dignified bilateral relationships with its neighbours. It can also play crucial roles in taking forward the developmental partnership with neighbours.

India has long been a major partner in Nepal's development. New Delhi should engage with the new government and focus on sustainable partnerships that can enhance security and development. The new government that focuses on mutual benefits could unlock more cooperation in trade, water resources, and connectivity. Technology integration, another area Shah has emphasised, could help modernise everything from tax collection to public services, making government more transparent and responsive.

The party must also address the aspirations of rural areas and diverse ethnic groups. Job creation through private sector encouragement and sustainable development of natural resources should top the agenda.

Governing a country as complex as Nepal is no easy task, especially for a relatively new party with limited national experience. There will be economic pressures, coalition dynamics if needed, and the regional influences to navigate carefully.

Yet, Nepali voters have shown they are looking for a change and stability. The message from these elections is clear – perform or perish. For Nepal, this landslide offers a genuine opportunity to break free from the cycle of disappointment. India is watching closely as it hopes for a stable government in the politically fragile Himalayan nation, and this is an opportunity to drive the country towards stability.

(The writer is a columnist. His articles have appeared in various publications like The Independent, The Globe and Mail, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, etc. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.)