The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Nepal has chosen Balendra Shah as its parliamentary party leader, setting the stage for him to become the new Prime Minister. Shah, who led the party in the recent elections, secured a significant victory by winning 182 out of 275 seats in the House of Representatives. He is scheduled to be sworn in as Prime Minister on Friday in a special ceremony that will include Hindu rituals.
A central committee meeting of the RSP made the decision to appoint Shah as the parliamentary party leader following the conclusion of the lawmakers’ swearing-in ceremony. The party’s statement confirmed the unanimous approval of Shah’s nomination as the Prime Ministerial candidate, in accordance with the party’s statute. Shah’s candidacy was formally endorsed by the party based on an agreement reached with RSP President Rabi Lamichhane.
Balendra Shah emerged victorious in the elections, defeating former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli by a significant margin of votes. His victory marked the highest number of votes obtained by a candidate in Nepal’s parliamentary elections since 1991. Shah, who began his political journey in 2022, is known for his academic background in engineering, which has influenced his governance approach, particularly in areas like infrastructure and urban development.
The Prime Ministerial oath-taking ceremony for Shah is scheduled to be held at 12:34 pm, symbolically representing 1-2-3-4. The event will feature traditional rituals, including performances by conch players and recitations by Vedic priests and Buddhist monks. Shah’s rapid ascent in Nepali politics reflects the emergence of a new-generation leader on the national stage, bringing a fresh perspective to governance.
