In the lead-up to the March 5 elections, Balen Shah, the prime ministerial candidate for Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has adopted a spiritual strategy in his campaign to appeal to the electorate.
After resigning from his position as the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City on January 18, Shah has shifted his focus to Jhapa Constituency 5. Observers say that his campaign has bypassed traditional loud rallies political campaign in favor of a "spiritual trail" designed to resonate emotionally with a diverse electorate.
A multi-faith approach
Shah’s campaign began with a high-profile meeting with the Kirat religious leader, Guru Atmananda Lingden. Images of the Guru blessing Shah went viral on social media, signaling an early attempt to connect with the Kirat community.
The momentum continued with a visit to the Janaki Temple in Janakpur on January 19. After offering prayers at the historic Hindu site, Shah addressed a "Declaration of Change" assembly with the slogan, "Jai Janaki Mata." By January 20, Shah had reached the Taplejung district to visit the Pathibhara Temple. In a calculated move to honor local indigenous sentiments, he posted on social media: "Jai Pathibhara, Jai Mukkumlung," using both the Hindu and Limbu names for the sacred site.
"Pathibhara is called Mukkumlung by the Kirat and Limbu communities," explained RSP leader Milan Limbu. "Balen’s use of both names is a deliberate effort to respect and include both identities."
The "religious flavor" strategy
While Shah has previously described himself as a "Hindu-Buddhist" who follows the teachings of Buddha, his recent actions suggest a more tactical application of faith. In addition to visiting shrines, he has been seen wearing the Silam Sakma, a traditional cultural symbol of the Limbu people.
Party insiders admit this is part of a broader shift in campaign tactics. "Rather than relying solely on mass speeches, we are incorporating a 'religious flavor' to connect directly with the public's sentiments," an RSP leader stated.
From Kathmandu to Singh Durbar
Balen Shah rose to prominence by leveraging social media and the youth vote to win the Kathmandu mayoralty as an independent candidate. Now, as the RSP’s face for the prime ministerial candidate, he is attempting to replicate that success in a rural constituency by bridging the gap with older, traditionally religious voters.
By traversing a line from the Janaki Temple in the plains to Pathibhara in the mountains, Shah is attempting to unite Madhesi, Pahadi, and Janajati voters under a single spiritual umbrella.
Whether this "spiritual weapon" will be enough to win the hearts of the voters in Jhapa-5 will be seen once the results are announced after March 5 elections.
.
