Kathmandu metro Mayor Balen Shah resigns, Signals entry into national politics

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah has tendered his resignation, formally stepping down from Nepal’s most powerful municipal executive position, in a major political development with national implications.

Mayor Shah submitted his resignation to Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol on Tuesday, confirming the end of his three-and-a-half-year tenure marked by strong urban governance reforms and high public visibility.

“Yes, his resignation has been submitted to me directly,” Deputy Mayor Dangol confirmed.

According to Dangol, Shah is preparing to enter parliamentary politics and is set to contest the upcoming general election from Jhapa-5, positioning himself as a prime ministerial candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). His move signals a direct shift from local governance to national leadership ambitions.

Shah, widely known as Balen Shah, rose to prominence as an independent candidate and later aligned with reform-oriented political forces. His tenure at Kathmandu Metropolitan City was closely followed not only in Nepal but also by international observers tracking South Asia’s urban governance, political reforms, and democratic leadership transitions.

End of a High-Profile Mayoral Tenure

Since taking office, Shah had built a reputation for strong executive action, particularly in areas of urban planning, infrastructure regulation, public space management, and municipal service delivery. His leadership style frequently made headlines in regional and international media focusing on governance reform, political accountability, and leadership transformation in emerging democracies.

Political analysts say Shah’s resignation represents a rare example in Nepal of a popular local leader voluntarily vacating office to seek a national mandate, reflecting a broader global trend of city mayors transitioning into central politics.

Strategic Shift Toward National Leadership

Shah’s decision to contest from Jhapa-5 carries strategic importance. Jhapa is a politically influential district and a key battleground in national elections. His anticipated candidacy is expected to significantly reshape Nepal’s electoral landscape, especially among young voters, urban professionals, and reform-minded citizens seeking alternatives to traditional political parties.

Observers note that his move aligns with growing global patterns of political realignment, where anti-establishment leaders with strong local governance records enter mainstream national politics amid public demand for transparency, economic reform, and institutional accountability.

Implications for Kathmandu Governance

With Shah’s resignation, Kathmandu Metropolitan City will enter a leadership transition phase. The change comes at a time when Nepal’s capital is under pressure to accelerate infrastructure development, digital governance reforms, and urban economic growth to attract foreign investment and support sustainable development.

Municipal officials said the administrative process will continue under existing legal provisions until a new leadership arrangement is finalized.