Kathmandu, 27 March (H.S.):
Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Paudel has formally appointed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) senior leader Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, as the country’s new prime minister.
The presidential office confirmed on Thursday that Balen was named head of government under Article 76 (1) of the Constitution, based on the RSP’s single‑majority support in the House of Representatives. The swearing‑in ceremony is scheduled for 12.34 pm today at the President’s residence, Shital Niwas, in the capital.
Balendra Shah, a former mayor of Kathmandu and a rapper‑turned‑politician, is set to become Nepal’s 47th prime minister and its youngest elected head of government in recent decades. The choice of an auspicious date and time reflects the ceremonial importance attached to the occasion, with organisers determined to conduct the oath‑taking exactly at the fixed moment without any deviation.
The day also coincides with the Hindu festival of Ram Navami, which has been selected as a symbol of goodwill and new beginnings ahead of Balen’s premiership.
The swearing‑in event will be marked by a blend of Hindu and Buddhist rituals. As per official preparations, the ceremony will open with a shankhnaad, or conch‑shell blowing, performed with seven conch shells. A group of 108 batuks, or young boys, will chant the Swasti Shanti hymn, invoking peace and prosperity, while 16 Buddhist monks will recite the Ashtamangal shloka, emphasising harmony and auspiciousness. Political leaders from across the spectrum, representatives of diplomatic missions based in Kathmandu, civil society figures and senior government officials have been invited to attend the function.
According to the President’s office, around 2,000 guests are expected to be present at the venue, underscoring both the scale of the event and the significance of Balen’s appointment after the RSP’s sweeping victory in the March 2026 general election. The ceremony is expected to set the tone for a new phase in Nepali politics, as Balen transitions from mayor of Kathmandu to the country’s top executive, with wide‑ranging expectations for governance reforms and youth‑oriented policy initiatives.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
