One month after assuming office as the country’s executive chief, Prime Minister Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah has initiated the removal of informal settlements along the riverside areas of the Kathmandu Valley — a task he was unable to accomplish during his tenure as Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. On Saturday, dozers were deployed to demolish homes where landless residents in the Thapathali and Sinamangal areas had been living. The Prime Minister’s Office has informed that this campaign will continue on Sunday. This move, aimed at resolving the decades-old homeless squatters’ issue that both federal and local governments have failed to solve, has sparked mixed reactions.
Having resigned as Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City to contest the parliamentary elections, Balen Shah’s National Independent Party secured a near two-thirds majority in the elections held in February, resulting in a single-party majority government. Since taking office on Chaitra 13 (end of March), Shah has introduced significant changes to the traditional governance structure, according to Hari Prasad Dhungana, Associate Professor at Nepal Open University. “There is a clear effort to bring new changes to how the government operates and functions, showing a fresh wave of confidence,” Dhungana said.
However, Chitra Bahadur K.C., Chairman of the Rastriya Janamorcha and a former Deputy Prime Minister, has criticized the new government for lacking democratic character. “With the imposition of bans on student organizations that raise the voice of the people, it is evident that this government pays little heed to democratic elements,” K.C. stated.
While some government initiatives have yet to achieve success, the Balen-led administration has not been fully successful across the board. Following public controversy surrounding two ministers appointed by the Prime Minister, both had to be removed from the cabinet. Deepak Kumar Sah resigned within two weeks of his appointment after his wife’s controversial appointment came to light. Similarly, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung stepped down on the 27th day of his term after asset declarations revealed his investment partnership with a businessman entangled in controversy.
The new government has also issued arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and former Foreign Minister Arju Rana concerning asset purification issues. Both remain abroad in Hong Kong and have not returned to the country. Alongside political figures, several businessmen involved in financial crimes and asset purification cases have also been apprehended.
Prime Minister Shah has already announced certain policy reforms as part of a 100-day plan. Amid these reforms, the government has faced both support and opposition for its decisions to ban student organizations in universities and campuses, and even dismiss employee trade unions. “It is clear that this government is not geared toward progress. The sight of bulldozers removing squatters only confirms this,” said former Deputy Prime Minister K.C.
