The old is gone, and a new political era has dawned in Nepal with the swearing-in of rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah as the new prime minister last week.
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The old is gone, and a new political era has dawned in Nepal with the swearing-in of rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah as the new prime minister last week. This follows a landslide victory for the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which was projected as a youth-centric force in the months leading up to the general elections held earlier last month after the K P Sharma Oli government was toppled by the youth in September last year, following a massive uprising against unaddressed mounting issues, including rampant corruption, employment crisis and wealth disparity. The old guard had to pay a heavy price for undermining the power of youth for too long. They became out of touch with the general population, especially Gen Z. Instead of bridging the disconnect and addressing the growing discontent among the people, they were preoccupied with party politics to remain in power, for which they were shown the door. Their apathy to the plight of the people led to their own downfall, starting with four-time Prime Minister Oli, who conceded a humiliating defeat to Shah in his own bastion. He is currently remanded in judicial custody for his alleged role in the deadly crackdown on anti-establishment protests spearheaded by Gen Z, which resulted in the death of more than 70 people and left over 2,500 injured.
Unlike the old guard, who were perceived as arrogant, overbearing, and corrupt, the RSP led by Shah comes across as a party with a clear vision for the country, and one understands the aspirations of the youth. With a clear youth-led mandate for change, the newly formed government will be expected to fulfil the promise to address the employment crisis, curb corruption, spur economic growth through reforms and pull the country out of poverty, among others. By launching a comprehensive 100-point roadmap for effective governance just a day after assuming office, it has sent out a message that it means business. However, running a country is not the same as managing a company or an organisation. It involves human lives, encompassing their economic wellbeing, history, culture, and much more. This highlights the need for a balanced perspective that upholds peace, stability, tolerance, responsibility, and democratic principles. Shah has tasted politics as the former mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, but most of his cabinet ministers are new to state affairs, though they are experts in their respective fields. Governing is a completely different game altogether, so they may have to learn through trial and error. What is crucial is that they do not stray from their fundamental goals. In this context, public support and patience are vital for a positive outcome. Winning an election is not a magic wand for progress; rather, it is a step towards effective governance and change, which can be achieved through efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Another big challenge is how the new dispensation will outline its foreign policy and trade relations. Its immediate task at hand is to navigate the energy supply crisis and trade disruption caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Regarding its foreign policy, including relations with India, China and the U.S., it’s still unknown, but the Modi government should continue to nurture its close ties with the neighbouring country and clear all misunderstandings and issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to the new leadership, congratulating him on being sworn in as the prime minister and expressing a keen interest in “working closely with you to take India-Nepal friendship and cooperation to even greater heights for the mutual benefit of our two peoples”. As neighbours with deep historical and cultural ties, it is only right for India to assist Nepal in overcoming its immediate challenges and play a significant role in its growth.