Kathmandu [Nepal], April 27 (ANI): One month into office, Nepal’s “super Prime Minister” Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, faces high expectations, early reform moves, and mounting controversies.
Backed by a near two-thirds parliamentary majority after the March 5 elections driven by a Gen Z-led wave, Shah took office on March 27. His rise inspired optimism among young voters and reform advocates who saw a break from the traditional political establishment.
In his first cabinet meeting, Shah endorsed an ambitious 100-point governance reform agenda. It proposed downsizing federal ministries, merging costly boards and committees, depoliticising civil servants and teachers, and delivering citizen services—passports, licences, citizenship documents—through the postal system. The plan also included implementing recommendations from a commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki, reviving stalled projects, digitising investment and industrial services, and preparing a long-term energy export strategy.
Despite the blueprint, the first month has been turbulent. Two ministers left within 30 days, raising questions about judgment and internal cohesion. Labour Minister Deepak Sah was recalled after controversy over appointing his spouse to the Health Insurance Board, and Home Minister Sudan (Sudhan) Gurung resigned amid criticism over alleged links to a businessman under investigation.
“Recently, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung also resigned from the post. Within one month, two ministers have resigned from their posts. This has left the question: ‘Aren’t there any capable ministers who can take over the post from parliament?’ This has left a question about who that capable minister is, and if there isn’t, then why? Also remains unanswered,” Michael Tamang, a Gen Z voter, told ANI.
Supporters, particularly the youth who propelled Shah, express unease. “Being a youth and Gen Z, I was quite hopeful when Balen Shah became the Prime Minister, but due to recent controversies, it seems like the government hasn’t been performing well, and within the formation of less than one month, two ministers from the government have resigned,” said Garima Shrestha, a Gen Z voter from Gorkha.
Controversies extend beyond personnel. The government’s move to implement the Karki Commission report—linked to Gen Z protests during the interim government—without clear legal grounding attracted criticism. The arrests of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak without proper paperwork prompted legal and political backlash; courts ordered their release. Nepali Congress leader Deepak Khadka was also freed after prolonged detention due to insufficient evidence.
Despite campaigning on transparency and accountability, Shah has kept a notably low public profile—he has not addressed the nation or held a press conference since taking office—adding to public curiosity and criticism. His silence has been especially notable amid allegations against his party chairman, Rabi Lamichhane, in cooperative scam cases.
The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) moved to amend provisions that would delay MP disqualification until formal indictment—a step critics view as protective of those in power and contrary to youth expectations. Access to the Prime Minister’s Office has reportedly grown more restricted, requiring special arrangements and prompting concerns about transparency.
Policy moves have drawn mixed reactions. A two-day weekend was introduced and welcomed by some but resisted by local governments and educational institutions adjusting academic schedules. The government’s pledge to create domestic employment—a core campaign promise—has yet to yield significant steps, raising disappointment among young voters who still see many leaving for work abroad. “The government, until now, has been working quite well. As a youth myself, I have some expectations from the government – creating employment opportunities… until now, none of the significant steps have been taken in that area,” said Sadikshya Shrestha, a Gen Z voter from Lalitpur.
Efforts to remove riverside squatters have sparked human rights concerns over planning and humane rehabilitation. Trade and cost-of-living issues surfaced as tightened regulations along the Nepal-India open border triggered protests, and fuel prices remained high despite tax waivers; the state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation raised prices by around NPR 50 within a month.
Administrative reforms showed early signs of progress—such as accelerating the backlog in driving licence distribution, though quality complaints persist. Some citizens noted improved office hours and accessibility. “We can see the government offices are open in early hours and close late in the afternoon, so it’s a positive change that we really need to acknowledge and really need to be happy about,” Binayak Shumsher Thapa, a Gen Z youth from Kathmandu, told ANI.
Symbolically, Shah opted for a collective meeting with ambassadors rather than one-on-one engagements, suggesting a shift in diplomatic approach.
For now, as Nepal’s youngest political wave watches closely, Shah’s government stands at a delicate juncture: a bold reform agenda on paper, but early credibility increasingly shaped by how it manages controversy, delivers on promises, and reconnects with public expectations. (ANI)
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