Balen Shah urges honest leadership and long-term planning for Nepal’s future

Kathmandu Mayor and Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Balen Shah has said that Nepal needs honest leaders and long-term planning, not short-term decisions or catchy slogans.

On social media, Mayor Shah explained why he entered politics. He said the country needs leaders who focus on sustainable plans and integrity. “Nepal does not need quick fixes anymore. It needs a long-term vision. It does not need slogans, but honest leadership,” he wrote.

Shah said his goal in politics is to make Nepal safe, well-organized, and sustainable. “Our main aim is to make Nepal secure and systematic. Policies should prepare us before problems happen, structures should resist disasters, and governance should earn people’s trust. This is not about one person, but about working together for a safer future,” he added.

Talking about his past, Shah said he worked as a civil engineer after the 2015 earthquake, helping rebuild around 2,500 houses in Kavre and working in more than 35 districts. On Earthquake Safety Day, he expressed hope that Nepal would never face such destruction again.

He noted that building a nation is not just about construction. “Nation-building means developing both the land and the people. We need to strengthen all parts of society and create a strong connection between the government and citizens,” Shah said.

He emphasized that safe development requires careful planning, strong policies, disaster-ready structures, and honest leadership. Shah also mentioned that he chose to return to Nepal after studying structural engineering abroad, instead of working in other countries.

As mayor, he said Kathmandu has shown that local governments can deliver real results, be transparent, and make structural reforms. “Now it’s time to take the changes we started in Kathmandu to the whole country,” he said.

Shah added that development is more than roads and buildings. It means safe infrastructure, public trust, and giving people hope to build their future in Nepal. He ended by calling for honest and dedicated efforts to create a safe and hopeful Nepal for the next generation.