Rabi–Balen alliance takes shape: RSP discusses proposing mayor Shah as prime pinisterial candidate

KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has reached a political understanding with Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah to move forward through strategic cooperation, including discussions on proposing Shah as a future prime ministerial candidate, party sources said.

The understanding was reached after an approximately six-hour-long meeting on Monday between RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane and Mayor Shah at the Kamalpokhari office of RSP leader Asim Shah. According to participants, the talks focused on joint political action, electoral cooperation, and broader unity among alternative political forces.

Asim Shah confirmed that the proposal to project Mayor Shah as a prime ministerial candidate from the RSP was discussed during the meeting.
“There was an agreement to move ahead together. There was discussion about RSP proposing Balen Shah as a prime ministerial candidate,” he said.

The meeting also explored modalities for cooperation with the Desh Bikas Party, a political party registered with the Election Commission and considered close to Mayor Shah. Leaders said coordination mechanisms and possible electoral alignment between the two parties were part of the discussion.

Following the meeting, Lamichhane and Shah left the Kamalpokhari premises in the same vehicle, a move seen as a symbolic political message signalling their emerging alliance.

According to Shah, the talks also covered the possibility of broader unity among alternative and newly formed political forces. He said discussions are ongoing to bring multiple non-traditional political actors under a common platform.

RSP leaders further disclosed that Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kulman Ghising is also in continuous dialogue with the party regarding political cooperation. Ghising, who has publicly supported the Ujyaalo Nepal Party, has reportedly held multiple rounds of discussions with RSP leaders on potential collaboration. Party leaders believe that a combined front involving RSP, Balen Shah, and Ghising could emerge as a strong electoral force in the upcoming elections.

In parallel, RSP is holding talks with other newly formed parties to expand cooperation and build a unified alternative political bloc.

As unity efforts among new political forces gain momentum, mainstream political parties have also intensified their political activities. Leaders say parties such as the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and other established forces are currently prioritizing the agenda of parliamentary restoration, partly in response to the potential electoral impact of an alliance among emerging political actors.

According to political insiders, these parties are also exploring the formation of an all-party government as an alternative to an interim government under former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, a move seen as part of a broader strategy to delay elections.

The evolving political alignments indicate a shifting power dynamic ahead of the next elections, with new political forces increasingly positioning themselves as a consolidated alternative to Nepal’s traditional parties.