RSP Senior Leader Balen Shah Pledges to Transform Sudurpashchim

Kathmandu: Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Balen Shah, has claimed that he will make Sudurpashchim prosperous and self-reliant. Addressing the RSP's "Pariwartan Udghosh Sabha" (Call for Change Assembly), he stated that only his party possesses the power to fulfill the dream of building the country once Sudurpashchim is developed.

He expressed commitment to ending the situation where people are deprived of education and health services due to financial lack. "The poor and underprivileged who have no money in their pockets must get education and health," he said. "A road that should be built in two years is not completed even in 20 years; now it must be built in a year and a half—that is our agenda."

Mentioning that delays in infrastructure development would not be tolerated, he stated that road construction would be prioritized. "Whether it requires tying someone to a tree, making them lie on the road, or putting them in a cage, the road must be built," he said.

He claimed that if RSP joins the government, they will build roads used by cadres of all parties—including Congress, UML, and Maoists—as well as the general public.

Referring to the frequent talk of making Nepal like Switzerland, he noted that Sudurpashchim itself is a mine of natural and tourism potential. "People say the country should be made like Switzerland, but Badimalika, the father of Switzerland, is right here," he said. "The peak of Switzerland, Ramaroshan, is here; Khaptad National Park is here. Why do we need to make it Switzerland?"

Citing examples like Badimalika, Ramaroshan, and Khaptad National Park, he opined that the identity and potential of Sudurpashchim must be highlighted at the national level. "We Nepalis are people who have the treasure but don't realize its value; we haven't been able to show what we have, and we haven't been able to connect Sudurpashchim," he said.

Stating that cultural and emotional unity between Sudurpashchim and Kathmandu is necessary, he said Sudurpashchim's identity must be established nationally. "Sudurpashchim will be connected the day its songs are played in every corner of Kathmandu; only then will Sudurpashchim be truly connected with Kathmandu," he said.

At the assembly, he claimed that RSP had come not to ask for votes, but to ask for work. "Rastriya Swatantra Party has not come here to ask you for votes; it has come to ask for work. Give us work," he said. "Even if you don't vote for us, Rastriya Swatantra Party will develop the 'Sudur' (Far West). It's okay if you don't vote, just give us a list of tasks. Rastriya Swatantra Party will show you by working. Sudur is no longer far; much love to you all."