KATHMANDU, JANUARY 19
Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and former mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Balendra (Balen) Shah - who is often seemed in a Dhaka Topi and a black outfit, donned a white kurta-suruwal with a black cap and waistcoat this morning in Janakpur.
He prayed at the Ram Janaki temple early in the morning in Janakpur before departing for Lahan to honour 'Madhes martyrs'. He presented a flower wreath to the statue of martyr Ramesh Mahato in Lahan, Siraha. Mahato is the first martyr of the Madhes movement.
On Mahato's 19th memorial day, the RSP launched its election campaign in Janakpur today. The campaign was launched by holding a 'Parivartan Udghosh Sabha' in Tirhutiya Gachhi, Janakpurdham. This was Shah's first formal meeting since joining the RSP.
Shah formally joined the RSP yesterday after resigning as mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. He had taken over the position of senior leader and travelled to Janakpur for today's programme.
In his first address today, he assured an elated gathering in Janakpur that he is going to bolster federalism more robustly.
During 'Parivartan Udghosh Sabha', organised by the RSP in Janakpurdham, the capital of Madhes Province, tens of thousands of spectators and supporters from various nearby districts gathered to participate in the meeting in Tirhutiya Gachhi.
Along with Shah, RSP President Rabi Lamichhane, Vice-President Swarnim Wagle, and leaders Manish Jha, Sobita Gautam, among others, were seen at the gathering.
Shah addressed the Janakpur gathering in the Maithili language, which elated the crowd. The crowd was buzzing during his address.
He stated, "Many people asked me in Kathmandu and here in Janakpur, 'What is the Rastriya Swatantra Party's position on federalism and provinces?' I would like to say this: The provinces should be strengthened." Shah, however, in his speech emphasised that the work of the province is not to go to one ward and install a Rs 50,000 water tap. The work of the province should be to connect at least three or four municipalities.
"If the mayor of Janakpur needs to change the chief administrative officer, he needs to travel to Kathmandu. Why?" he questioned. "Isn't Janakpur the capital of the province? Why go to Kathmandu if it is the capital? Why can't all of the work be completed here? Therefore, the province should be strengthened so that residents don't have to go to Kathmandu."
He also stated that there should be an arrangement in place so that Kathmandu is only visited for the purpose of visiting rather than demanding rights. "Kathmandu should only be visited to see Pashupatinath and Swayambhu, not to demand rights."
Shah, who delivered a brief speech, stated that he was unable to accomplish much as Kathmandu's mayor and now wishes to change the people's perception by becoming the prime minister.
Outgoing lawmaker Amresh Kumar Singh, who joined the RSP today, also stated that the party should vote for Shah as the next prime minister. Vice-presidents Swarnim Wagle and DP Aryal also campaigned for Shah as the 'first prime minister from Madhes'.
Shah, on the other hand, urged people not to vote for the bell (the party symbol) simply because they are Madhesi sons, but rather to vote for the right person. "The right government is about to be formed. The action-oriented people are going into government, so vote for the bell," he said.
When he finished his speech, he rang the bell to get the crowd going. On stage, he sported the same white kurta, trousers, black coat and cap. As soon as he approached the podium to speak, he raised his finger in the 'V' sign of victory. Then he began speaking while gesturing a 'flying kiss'.
Lamichhane, the meeting's last speaker, proposed Shah as the prime minister. "Now, even if the government that shot children and fled in a helicopter arrests me someday, I won't mind because this country has Shah," he said.
The programme's speakers repeatedly said, "Ab ki bar Balen sarkar" (translated as 'this time it is Balen's government'). Lamichhane also concluded his speech with the same slogan.
Meanwhile, experts and political analysts have noted that much will be said and written about what Lamichhane was able to achieve for the RSP in Madhes today through Shah, but much will not be clear until after the election results are known.
"Shah continues to demonstrate an exceptional command of political branding. His visit to the Janaki temple, homage to the Madhes martyrs, subtle adjustments in attire and use of Maithili in his speech reflect not only an awareness of political symbolism but also a refined ability to connect with young and disenchanted voters in a rapidly evolving political environment," said a PhD candidate and analyst, Mahesh Kushwaha. "Combined with his sophisticated use of digital and social media, this has become a major electoral asset."
Uday Mahato, one of the spectators, shared with THT that the crowd was elated and full of energy. "This was beyond my expectation. The crowd went crazier as Shah spoke," he said. "It looks like Shah will win. If I could, I would vote for Shah in Jhapa Constitueny No 5, but I am not from there."
Shah has taken a ticket to contest the upcoming House of Representatives election on March 5 against CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa Constituency No 5 in order to establish the agenda of the Gen Z protest. Shah's interest in running against Oli has gained substantial traction.