KATHMANDU, Dec 25: In a dramatic turn of events, Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, has decided to form a political party and contest the March 5 House of Representatives (HoR) polls.
According to his several close aides, Balen had earlier decided to support any political party or independent group that fully adhered to the Constitution of Nepal including federalism, secularism and the existing system of governance. However, he has recently shifted his stance.
As part of his new political plan, Balen has intensified preparations for party formation and electoral participation. On Wednesday, he held a meeting in Jwagal, Lalitpur, with people from various walks of life including journalists, actors, Gen Z representatives and social activists. The meeting was organized at the initiative of his secretariat member Kumar Byanjankar (Ben), close aide Ganesh Karki—also a central committee member of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)—and actor and director Nischal Basnet.
Among those present were media personality Suraj Singh Thakuri, journalist Rishi Dhamala, media entrepreneur Sambhav Sirohiya, politicians Gyanendra Shahi, CK Raut, Resham Chaudhary, Milan Pandey, Ramesh Paudyal and Saroj Gautam, along with Gen Z representative Rakshya Bam.
Held at Kumar Ben’s residence, the meeting lasted nearly eight hours—from 2 PM until late at night. During the gathering, Mayor Balen held one-on-one discussions with several participants and openly expressed his intention to form a political party and contest the election.
Republica spoke with several participants at the meeting. According to them, Balen shared his new political ambitions and asked whether they would be willing to support him.
“He called me and shared his plan to form a political party and contest the election. He said, ‘I have this plan—let’s go together.’ I told him it was doable and agreed,” said one politician who attended the meeting.
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The politician said he found Balen politically mature and emotionally grounded. “After the meeting, it felt like I had met a more mature Balen,” he said.
However, just two days earlier, RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane—who was released on bail from Nakkhu Prison in a cooperative fraud case—had held a lengthy meeting with Balen. According to sources, the meeting ended with an informal understanding that Rabi would support Balen for prime minister in the upcoming election, while Balen would back Rabi in the next election.
Within two days, however, Balen reportedly grew uncertain about Lamichhane’s commitment. “Balen felt that what Rabi told him were merely tall talks and could not fully trust him. As a result, he decided to move ahead with forming a new party under his own leadership,” a source told Republica.
Meanwhile, the alleged agreement was reportedly not well received within the RSP. Party leaders openly opposed the idea, and Lamichhane later denied the claim while speaking in Chitwan.
Another politician who attended Wednesday’s meeting said he was ready to support Balen’s proposal. “When Balen asked me if this could be done, I said yes without a second thought. I had always wanted him to form a party and contest the election,” he said.
He added that Balen’s earlier withdrawal after backing the Gen Z movement had deeply disappointed him. “But yesterday, not just his vision but his clarity touched me. It gave me hope for the country,” he said.
According to the attendee, Balen does not want to alter core constitutional provisions such as secularism, federalism or the system for electing the head of state. “He does not want to change the values established through the sacrifices of martyrs. I was genuinely impressed by his political maturity,” he said.
Another participant said Balen explained that growing political instability and the absence of credible leadership compelled him to reconsider his earlier decision not to run. “He said he waited for a party capable of leading the nation but couldn’t find one,” she said.
She also said Balen expressed dissatisfaction with the merger between Bibeksheel Sajha and the RSP, noting that Bibeksheel Sajha’s contribution to Nepali politics had not been dignified.
According to sources, Balen does not intend to move alone but seeks coordination with parties such as the RSP and leaders including Dharan Sub-metropolitan City Mayor Harka Sampang. “His idea seems to be building unity rather than splitting or absorbing other parties,” one attendee said.
“Everyone tells me to take the lead, but I can’t do anything alone,” She quoted Balen as saying. “Winning one constituency is not enough. We need at least 165 lawmakers to form a strong government. We must build a party where everyone feels ownership and works as a team.”
Prominent Gen Z figure Rakshya Bam said that yesterday’s meeting with Balen was productive. “I raised my questions to understand his views on the Constitution, federalism, and the system of governance. After listening, I am convinced of his political clarity. I feel that working with him would be possible.”
She also said that Balen has tasked her with the responsibility of uniting all Gen Z forces.
A close aide said Balen is planning to contest from Jhapa–5, the constituency of CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli. According to the source, Balen wants to challenge Oli over what he sees as disrespect toward the Gen Z movement, alleged corruption and authoritarian tendencies.
The source also said the proposed party will be named Desh Bikash Party, with the election symbol ‘Stick’. Earlier, at Balen’s direction, the Hamro Nepali Party, which had been registered with the Election Commission, was renamed Desh Bikash Party and is likely to be announced on Martyrs’ Day.
Meanwhile, sources within the RSP claim Wednesday’s meeting was a strategic move by Balen to strengthen his bargaining position within broader political negotiations in the RSP.
A meeting between Balen and Rabi is underway in Ben’s house in Jwagal to make a final decision.
