What Does Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s Statement ‘One Must Fight Alone’ Mean?

Prime Minister Balendra Shah, known as ‘Balen,’ posted on Facebook late Friday night a message that appears directed at his party and its members of parliament. On a night when many Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) MPs raised questions in parliament regarding the government’s performance, his choice of words and tone triggered widespread discussion on social media. A leader from the opposition suggested that Prime Minister Shah’s remarks might reflect pressure he is experiencing from within his party. However, two leaders close to the Raswapa Prime Minister denied that his comments targeted the party or its leadership.

Without mentioning any specific context, the Prime Minister urged people not to be discouraged and hinted at having to face challenges alone. He wrote, “It takes some time for the right moment to arrive. It may be late, but it is never wrong. Do not be disheartened.” Earlier in parliament, former Raswapa spokesperson Manish Jha and other MPs questioned issues ranging from gas shortages to various government initiatives. Jha responded, “No one is alone in this government, which has received a great popular mandate for change. We are all united.”

When asked if the Prime Minister’s post indicated a growing rift with the party, Jha said, “Perhaps the level of communication is not always adequate, but it is premature to jump to conclusions without proper dialogue.” Mahesh Basnet, a leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), interpreted the Prime Minister’s post as signaling increasing pressure to relinquish power.

Raswapa MP Ganesh Karki, who is close to Prime Minister Balen, asserted that the message was not a response to questions raised by MPs nor a critique of the party. He said, “He also writes poetry regularly. There is nothing profound here that demands a political interpretation.” Political analyst Mumarama Khanal observed that the Prime Minister has not been isolated by anyone; rather, his nature is to stay within a small group.