‘We’re an express vehicle’: PM Balen promises fast solutions to longstanding problems

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balen Shah has pledged to resolve Nepal’s longstanding landless settlers issue and the country’s cooperative sector crisis within the current government’s tenure, stating that his administration intends to deliver results rather than carry unresolved agendas into the next election.

Addressing the opening session of the first national convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Bharatpur, Chitwan, on Sunday, Shah delivered an informal but confident speech focused on the government’s reform agenda and commitment to implementation.

Beginning his remarks with the phrase, “I often think I should not speak, but eventually the day comes when I have to,” Shah responded to criticism that governments must know when to slow down as well as accelerate.

‘This Is Not a Local Bus, It Is an Express Vehicle’

Using a transportation analogy, the prime minister said many people have advised the government that it should apply brakes as well as acceleration. However, he argued that the current administration is focused on reaching its objectives rather than slowing down prematurely.

“Government is like a vehicle. Many people say it needs brakes as well as an accelerator. That may be true on local roads,” Shah said. “But our party is not a local vehicle; it is an express vehicle. It applies the brakes only after reaching its destination. There is no need to brake before that. At the same time, it is not out of control.”

The remarks drew applause from convention delegates, with Shah portraying the government as determined to push forward with reforms despite political pressure and criticism.

Commitment to Resolve Major National Issues

Shah highlighted two of the country’s most pressing socio-economic challenges—the landless settlers issue and the cooperative crisis—promising that both would be addressed during the current term.

“We will resolve the landless settlers problem during this tenure. We will resolve the cooperative problem during this tenure,” he said.

The prime minister added that his government does not intend to campaign in the next election on the same unresolved issues.

“We will not go to the next election carrying these same agendas. We will go to the next election with new agendas,” Shah told delegates.

Focus on Delivery Over Promises

The comments reflect the RSP leadership’s broader effort to position itself as a results-oriented political force focused on implementation rather than rhetoric.

The landless settlers issue has remained unresolved for decades despite multiple commissions and government initiatives, while the cooperative sector crisis has affected thousands of depositors across Nepal and emerged as one of the country’s most significant financial and political challenges in recent years.

Shah’s commitment signals that the government intends to prioritize both issues as part of its reform agenda during the remainder of its term.

The speech came as RSP formally launched its first national convention, an event party leaders have described as a transition from a movement-driven political force to a fully institutionalized national party.