Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah has paused plans to submit his resignation, just hours after reports suggested he would step down from his post. Close aides say Shah initially prepared to resign in advance of the candidate registration period, but changed course following last-minute political developments.
Shah has been expected to resign and enter the parliamentary race from Jhapa-5, a move that would automatically end his mayoral tenure once his nomination was filed. However, his allies now say he has decided to hold off on submitting the resignation for the time being.
“Resigning and filing candidacy cannot be done hastily,” a close associate of Shah told reporters. “With the current legal uncertainty around the election timeline — especially after the Nepali Congress moved to court — he decided it was best to hold the resignation until we see how things unfold.”
Currently, a clash between the Nepali Congress leadership and the Election Commission is being argued in court, creating doubts about when elections will proceed. This dispute has slowed down candidate filing and reshaped strategic decisions across parties. For more background on the Congress dispute and the Election Commission’s decision, see this detailed report: Election Commission Decision
Rather than stepping down immediately, Mayor Shah is now heading to the RASWAPA central office at Ghantighar in Kathmandu ahead of the party’s central committee meeting. Sources inside the party say Shah is expected to arrive by early afternoon as the gathering prepares to finalize its list of candidates.
The official deadline for candidate registration is Magh 6, and as parties move to confirm their selections, RASWAPA’s leadership meeting today at 2 p.m. is seen as an important moment. Senior figures, including party chair Ravi Lamichhane, are also scheduled to travel to Janakpur later in the evening, with Shah set to depart for Janakpur around 5 p.m.
This turn of events comes just days after reports that Mayor Shah was preparing to resign from his mayoral post, as outlined in this earlier article: Balen Shah Preparing to Resign
Political observers say Shah’s decision to pause his resignation reflects the current uncertainty in Nepal’s political environment, particularly as established parties and independent leaders reassess their plans ahead of the upcoming elections.
As the legal challenge unfolds and party committees finalize nominations, the national political landscape remains fluid. Whether Shah ultimately resigns and submits his bid for national office may now depend on these wider developments.
