KATHMANDU, JANUARY 18 Balendra (Balen) Shah has begun a formal political career in national politics by resigning from the position of mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Shah announced his voluntary resignation in a letter to the metropolis' Deputy Mayor, Sunita Dangol. Shah stated in his resignation letter that he was stepping down in accordance with Nepal's constitution, the Local Government Act of 2017, and the metropolis' current laws. 'In accordance with the Constitution of Nepal 2015, the Local Government Act 2017, and the prevailing legal provisions of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, I voluntarily submit my resignation from the position of mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, effective January 18, 2026,' reads Shah's resignation letter. 'While in this position, I attempted to work as honestly as possible for the benefit of Kathmandu Metropolitan City and its residents. I wish you and the city executive continued success and hope that the metropolis' leadership, service delivery and development journey become more effective, transparent and result-oriented in the coming days.' Shah had reached an agreement with Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane on December 28, 2025, and he reached the party's office this afternoon. However, he rushed from the office to the airport for Janakpur, where he is scheduled to speak tomorrow. During the meeting, the two parties agreed that after the House of Representatives elections, Shah would lead the parliamentary party and be the future prime ministerial candidate, while Lamichhane would serve as the RSP's central president. Shah was elected mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City as an independent candidate in the 2022 local elections. Following the Gen Z revolution on September 8 and 9 last year, the House of Representatives was dissolved, and a new election was announced for March 5. The party led by former home minister Lamichhane has projected Shah as the next prime ministerial candidate. Shah rose to prominence in Kathmandu politics using the stick as a symbol, making mainstream party governance styles, corruption control and good governance critical issues. As a rapper by hobby and a structural engineer by profession, he used social media as a crucial tool to create a favourable environment. Shah had secured a landslide victory in 2022 local elections in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, receiving 61,767 votes out of a total 191,000 votes cast. He began his term by taking the oath in Newari, wearing a cap from Daura Suruwal and Bhadgaon, and advocated for everything from live broadcasting of the metropolitan executive meeting to public toilet management, school scholarships and free health care for the poor. Although some of his work in heritage conservation is praised, there is criticism of alleged repression by city police, particularly against those operating businesses on roadsides, as well as the metropolitan municipality's policies against street vendors. Human Rights Watch, a New York-based human rights organisation, also criticised Shah's policies for city's landless, beggars and street vendors in 2022. In 2023, the world-renowned American magazine Time included Shah in its list of 100 emerging people, the 'Time 100 Next'. Shah, who has been embroiled in controversy due to his numerous social media posts, has had a tumultuous relationship with the government leadership on multiple occasions. Most importantly, he had a bitter relationship with former prime minister KP Sharma Oli. Shah was upset when the Oliled government extended the term of the metropolis' chief administrative officer, whom he despised. As a result, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City executive meeting had to be postponed for several months. In the upcoming House of Representatives election on March 5, Shah has announced that he will contest the election against Oli in Jhapa-5 constituency to establish the agenda of the Gen Z protest. Shah's interest in contesting against Oli has drawn immense traction. A close aide to Shah told THT: 'Shah's team is already in Jhapa-5 surveying and researching. Sixty per cent of the voters favour Shah.' He stood in solidarity with the Gen Z youth movement in September, which demanded an end to political appointments, nepotism and corruption in public bodies after the Oli-led government banned social media. After police opened fire on the first day of the protest, killing at least 19 youths, the situation spiralled out of control on September 9. Then PM Oli was rescued by a military helicopter and transported to a safe location after being forced to resign. Shah's failure to mobilise firefighters on time to control the arson that occurred during protests has also been questioned by critics, who have accused him of inciting violence. Following the demonstration, Shah openly proposed that the young people meet with General Ashok Raj Sigdel, the chief of army staff of the Nepali Army.