New House, Balen in spotlight

By TNW correspondent

With two – Fresh HOR and “PM-elect” Balen in spotlight today, Nepalis are expecting sea-change in approach to governance and representation. “This time both will be responsive to people’s mandate,” said a former parliamentarian on Monday in Kathmandu.

The view is shared by media analysts, political observers, intellectuals and civil society activists. Messages shared in social media also suggest the same, observed a social media user.

The new House of Representatives is more inclusive than in the past; voters constituted it democratically offering total 275 seats as per constitutional provisions: Khas Arya (135), indigenous (56), Madheshi (45), Dalit (17), Tharu (9),,and Muslims (14).

The HOR has 96 women representatives from six political parties which have been recognized as national in parliamentary status.

Balen Shah, the former Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, got elected in March 5 parliamentary poll as RSP’s Prime Ministerial candidate. He will enter Singha Durbar as PM in about a week after his party and Office of President complete the process of appointing PM from the party with single handed majority in parliament.

“All eyes are today on the oath-taking of BS as PM and his cabinet, their initial move as fresh drivers of governance,” a civil society leader said in a post-election public programme in Kathmandu on Monday. The fresh political landscape constructed through recent parliamentary poll is getting more attention of the public as days go by, observed a political worker.