KATHMANDU, Nov 6: Balen Shah, who frequently made headlines by sharing his views on social media while serving as mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, has continued the same practice since becoming prime minister. His Facebook posts have increasingly become a platform for debate on government decisions, administrative activities, political controversies and matters of public concern.
His communication style has also sparked debate, with questions being raised over his preference for using his personal social media accounts rather than formal press conferences or official government statements to communicate with the public. While some posts have provided updates on government decisions, others have triggered fresh speculation and controversy in political circles.
It has almost become routine for one of the prime minister’s posts to attract hundreds of thousands of reactions and subsequently become a news story. The attention surrounding Balen’s posts, however, goes beyond their popularity. They have also raised questions about the government’s communication strategy, public accountability and the nature of political discourse.
A Prime Minister Who Knows How to Make a Post Go Viral
One of Balen’s most widely discussed posts since becoming prime minister promoted yak cheese. On May 16, 2026, he shared a photograph of yak cheese produced by the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) on Facebook, accompanied by the message, “Say cheese, DDC’s cheese.”
His post received praise for promoting a product made by a government-owned corporation. By the time this report was prepared, it had attracted around 495,000 likes and more than 48,000 comments. Reports also emerged after the post that public interest in and sales of DDC products had increased.
Earlier, on May 9, he had shared a photograph of himself wearing a white shirt, striped trousers, white shoes and black sunglasses. After he also posted a TikTok video in the same outfit, social media users began recreating his look and using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate similar photographs. Even the prime minister’s clothing became a social media trend.
These two posts demonstrated that Balen’s use of social media extends beyond political communication. He has also used Facebook to promote government products, shape his personal image and establish direct connections with the public.
Using Facebook to Defend Government Decisions
Among Balen’s posts after becoming prime minister, his statements on managing landless people and informal settlers also drew considerable attention.
Rasuwa produces cheese worth Rs 59 m
On May 4, 2026, he said the government would relocate citizens living in unsafe locations to safer and better-managed areas. He added that decisions concerning other landless citizens would be made based on recommendations from the relevant commission and the data it had collected.
The message conveyed through his post was that the government did not intend to displace citizens but was seeking a permanent solution to the problem while ensuring their right to housing. In this way, the prime minister used his personal Facebook page to defend government decisions and reassure the public.
Similarly, he used social media to justify the government’s decision to dissolve student and employee organisations and to express his views on other policy matters.
A Two-Word Message That Set Off Debate
Balen’s brief social media post also attracted attention after the government unveiled its budget. When the budget for fiscal year 2026/27 was presented, he posted a short message on Facebook at 9:54 pm, saying, “Rest assured.”
The brief statement prompted various interpretations on social media. Some criticised the discussion for shifting away from the budget’s priorities, weaknesses in economic policy and government plans towards speculation about what the prime minister meant by his post.
A Dig at the Politics of Ambassadorial Appointments
Another widely discussed post by Balen after becoming prime minister concerned ambassadorial appointments.
On June 6, 2026, he wrote on Facebook: “I also want to become an ambassador. If anyone has the PM’s number, please share it with me.”
Balen made the sarcastic remark after reports emerged that government secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar had sent a message to the prime minister expressing his interest in becoming an ambassador. Ministers and leaders from the ruling party also responded to the post with humorous comments.
However, the post also triggered debate over whether it was appropriate for someone holding the office of prime minister to make sarcastic remarks about a sensitive administrative matter such as appointments. Some interpreted his comment as a jibe at political manoeuvring in appointments, while others criticised it in relation to the dignity of the prime ministerial office.
A Cryptic Warning That Invited Speculation
On November 1, Prime Minister Balen published another cryptic post. He wrote: “When the time is right, everyone will have their bad days. No one should dream that one or two people will escape.”
Although he did not name any individual or incident, the statement came amid criticism of the government over an alleged case involving a middleman’s contact with a judge and the deployment of police personnel at media outlets.
The prime minister’s political adviser, Kumar Ben, also responded to the post with a comment along the lines of, “When will the right time come?” This further fuelled discussion in political and media circles about the intended meaning of the prime minister’s message.
A Political Message That Raised Eyebrows
Balen’s latest widely discussed post appears to concern the political priorities of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and other political parties.
On the night of Kartik 19, he wrote on Facebook: “Your cadres fight while your leaders sit back and laugh; our leaders fight, and humanity holds on to hope! That is the only difference! There is a difference between saving the country and saving a party.”
The post appeared a few hours after RSP Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane, speaking at a programme in Chitwan, said the party had not instructed the government to remove the inspector general of police and that the government itself should justify its decision.
The prime minister did not disclose whom he was referring to in the post. However, its timing and wording have prompted various interpretations and speculation in political circles.
When a Personal Facebook Page Becomes a Government Mouthpiece
As Balen’s posts continue to attract attention, another important question has emerged: To what extent should a prime minister’s personal Facebook page serve as a channel for official government communication?
The discussion has also highlighted the difference in follower numbers between the two platforms. Balen’s personal Facebook page has more than 4.6 million followers, while the Facebook page of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has considerably fewer.
Santosh Sigdel, executive director of Digital Rights Nepal, has said that the use of personal social media accounts to disseminate information may reflect a desire to reach a large audience quickly, while also potentially involving the financial earnings generated through social media platforms. The prime minister’s press and research adviser, meanwhile, has said the government has a policy of using both official and personal platforms in an organised manner.
The prime minister’s personal popularity and the credibility of official government information are not the same thing. Therefore, government decisions, policies and official information concerning citizens also need to be regularly communicated through institutional government channels.
Balen’s posts have demonstrated their ability to immediately capture public attention, initiate political debate and become subjects of media coverage. However, the likes, comments and shares they receive cannot be considered a complete representation of public opinion. Popularity on social media and actual public sentiment can differ.
There was a time in Nepali politics when people had to attend rallies and public gatherings to hear what political leaders had to say. Today, however, public interest increasingly centres not just on what leaders say but also on what they write on Facebook. Prime Minister Balen’s posts have made this shift even more apparent.
One post explains a government decision, another draws attention to a domestic product in the market, while yet another sparks political debate between those in power and the opposition. This shows how social media in Nepali politics has evolved beyond a platform for leaders to express their views. It has become a powerful tool for shaping political agendas and influencing public discourse.
