Mayor Balen Shah Joins Rastriya Swatantra Party, Considers Resignation

Kathmandu — Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah has joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) as a senior leader and is currently deliberating whether to resign from his mayoral post. According to his secretariat sources, Shah is uncertain about resigning today, as the law does not require a local-level official to step down before filing candidacy for a federal parliamentary election.

A close aide of Shah stated, “It appears that resignation is not mandatory to contest federal elections. The post will only be vacated if he gets elected. This is why he is currently in discussion.”

Meanwhile, Balen Shah is scheduled to visit the RSP central office at Ghantighar today. Party spokesperson Manish Jha confirmed that Shah will be welcomed at 2 PM at the party office. “Party chairman Ravi Lamichhane and Mayor Balen Shah will fly to Janakpur on Buddha Air at 5 PM this evening,” Jha added.

Shah has been appointed a senior leader of RSP but has not yet taken the oath. The party has organized a program in Janakpur tomorrow, where both Chairman Lamichhane and Mayor Shah will serve as the main speakers.