Narayan Upadhyay

Balen Shah’s entry into national politics propels the Rastriya Swatantra Party ahead, as low voter turnout punishes traditional parties and signals Nepalis’ appetite for change.

When the new government takes the helm, it must first thank her and her team. 

This is not just another routine election; it has posed a stronger test for political parties, leaders, and the system itself.

The Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, 2025, brought these doubts back.

If leaders of both sides keep treating this as a fight for authority, the Nepali Congress will head into the March 5 election divided. Both sides will suffer an unfavorable poll outcome, which will shape the future of Nepal’s oldest democratic party.

Balen–Rabi unity has injected fresh energy into the RSP, but it comes with serious political risks. Charisma alone may not offset internal rifts, legal controversies, and the challenge of winning nationwide support.  

His real power, though, is in the central committee. About 227 of the 301 members of the new central committee are on his side.

Young voters are demanding honest politics, competent leadership and genuine concern for public welfare.

Nepal’s Gen Z protest movement, once a powerful force against corruption and political decay, has lost direction amid leaderlessness and infiltration by vested interests, risking a historic opportunity for meaningful reform.

Without reforms in governance, anti-corruption measures, and adjustments to the federal setup, elections will merely reproduce old problems. She must not let populist pressure hijack due process but must balance justice with legality, proving that the government upholds the rule of law.