Opinion | Balen won big. Now, what kind of power will he be?
Summary
Balendra Shah's sweeping victory in Nepal's 2026 elections raises critical questions about his governing style and the doctrine of power he will adopt, with comparisons drawn to Indian leaders Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal.
Key Points
- Balendra Shah's victory represents a public rejection of the existing political generation and governance style in Nepal.
- The article compares possible governing styles Shah might adopt to Narendra Modi's state-centred approach and Arvind Kejriwal's anti-establishment, citizen-proximate governance.
- Modi's 2014 leadership focused on integrating electoral victory into state institutions and creating a centralized, efficient governance model.
- Kejriwal's 2015 governance in Delhi emphasized ongoing public struggle against corruption with close citizen engagement.
