Power Play in Nepal: Rabi Lamichhane Files for RSP Presidency as Balen Shah Joins Him
Rastriya Swatantra Party founder Rabi Lamichhane officially files his candidacy for party president, with Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah serving as his proposer in a landmark political move ahead of Nepal's 2026 elections.
In a defining moment for Nepal's political landscape, Rabi Lamichhane has officially filed his candidacy for the position of president of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) during an ongoing closed session. The nomination was marked by a powerful alliance as Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah personally accompanied Lamichhane to the venue, serving as his proposer and signaling a rare unity between two of Nepal's most influential young leaders.
The registration was promptly confirmed by Lamichhane's secretariat following formal proceedings at the convention hall, cementing his role as the party's founding chairman since its inception in 2022. This move comes just weeks after Lamichhane secured a third consecutive victory in Chitwan-2 during the March 5, 2026 general election, winning with 54,402 votes against his nearest rival, underscoring his enduring popularity and electoral strength.
The political atmosphere surrounding Lamichhane remains intense. A week prior to the polls, his party claimed that supporters of the ruling alliance vandalized a vehicle carrying him in Chitwan during an election rally. Although Lamichhane was not injured, he publicly labeled the incident as a targeted attack against him, a claim the ruling alliance has not acknowledged. Despite such challenges, recent reports indicate Lamichhane is leading by over 5,000 votes in Chitwan-2, reinforcing his position as a formidable candidate in the House of Representatives.
Lamichhane's diplomatic reach has also expanded, with a historic meeting in Delhi alongside Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and top BJP leaders, highlighting his growing influence beyond domestic politics. Meanwhile, speculation continues regarding Nepal's next prime minister, with prediction markets assigning a 100% probability to Balen Shah as the frontrunner, adding another layer of intrigue to the evolving political narrative.
As Lamichhane steps into this pivotal leadership role, the unity between him and Balen Shah could reshape Nepal's trajectory, offering a stable five-year mandate and a new direction for the nation's future.