Leading the vote count from the very beginning, Balen's emergence was a bolt from blue in initial phase for the mainstream political parties while final victory resulted with messages galore- and, in particular, need of parties' self-compunction and correction most essential.
A rapper and structural engineer Balendra Shah garnered a total of 61,676 votes with wide margin against his rivals. His nearest rival from Nepali Congress Srijana Singh was able to collect 38,341 votes while CPN UML's candidate Keshav Sthapit got 38,117. Once the independent candidate largely widened vote margin against his rivals, his victory was ensured some days back, however, the final vote count was over last night and the formal announcement of victory made this morning.
Since early morning, Kathmandu Valley has got an aura of jubilation with oomph of youth leaders' victory. Even the Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol got popular votes, which too must have taken everyone by surprise. The UML's candidate Dangol became Deputy Mayor getting 68,612 votes.
Yes, the first message of these victories is clear- it is time for youths. Irrespective of the political parties and faith, the hoary faces are no more entertained by the voters. Large numbers of voters are also youths now. By the way, are our traditional political parties ready to realize this message? The Kathmandu Metropolis result has made the issue of handover of leadership to young generation more pressing again.
Second, Nepali voters have been yearning for alternative force. They showed reluctance to follow the policy and practice of the old mainstream parties. Signal for alternative force was witnessed during the last federal election, where Ranju Darshana had got huge votes. But, as the alternative forces like Bibeksheel and Sajha party made flopped show in recent years, the voters chose the alternative force- Balendra Shah.
The political trust has eroded fast in the recent years with the political parties bickering for power and denting the system- the most progressive one we ever had- federal democratic republic. Balen's victory indicates decline of people's trust on political parties. But, the political parties do not seem ready to admit it. As the Nepali Congress emerged largest political party in the local polls, it organized a press meet, where Spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said, "The vote collected by independent candidate in Kathmandu Metropolis is exception. This cannot be made a measuring rod to claim that mainstream parties have failed." He however said NC takes it in 'notice' and reviews party performance.
Moreover, during the election campaign, Balendra was belittled and derogated much by other candidates, especially by the old face of UML, Keshab Sthapit. He blamed Balendra was liar. "Can Balendra tell lies to Kathmanduites," he belittled him, and further boasted that his competition would be only with Srijana Singh for the mayoral post. Paradoxically, he was true that he could not compete with Balendra but with Srijana Singh- that too with some votes behind her.
As the political parties are claiming that people's trust has not eroded on them, who gave popular votes to Balen? The people with history of voting mainstream parties now voted Balendra. It is clear.
Not only mayoral candidate Sthapit but also all big political parties, including NC, CPN UML and CPN (Maoist Centre) thought that Kathmandu is their stronghold. They easily and quickly ruled out the emergence of other force except themselves. Some days back, speaking briefly to media, leader Barsha Man Pun of Maoist Centre said, "We had not expected that Balendra would get such huge vote. We had not thought of such unexpected emergence."
It too has the message that we have entrenched politics of denial. If the mainstream political parties fail to review their role seriously and do not go to youths, likelihood of their drubbing by independent candidates cannot be denied in the coming federal election too.
Another message is the politics of inheritance is waning in Kathmandu Valley. The case of Srijana Singh, the daughter-in-law of the late Ganesh Man Sigh, turned to this category. Although Singh had the legacy politics, how many voters born after 2046BS know about the contribution of Ganesh Man Singh in Nepal? What about the role of Srijana Singh?
Similarly, in both case of Srijana Singh and Keshab Sthapit, politics of indigenous leader and community is entertained no more. Emergence of Balendra, having ancestral home in Tarai/Madhes, in the Kathmandu Valley, which is densely populated with indigenous Newar community, shows that sympathy for community indigenous leader did not work in election. It can be further stated that Kathmandu Valley people have changed and improved political conscience.
Anyway, the correction of political behaviour has been stressed by the mainstream party leaders. In the meeting of the House of Representatives on Thursday (May 26), former prime minister and leader of the CPN (Unified Socialist) Jhalanath Khanal viewed, "Leaders like Balendra Shah, a mayoral candidate in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, would emerge more in coming days, posing threat to political parties if they failed to correct themselves."
Similarly, youth leader of Nepali Congress, Gururaj Ghimire made a Facebook post on the same day, stating that Balen, Harka, Gopal, Manoj and Prahlads are the symbols of higher civic sense, rebellion against anomalies caused by political parties and people's protest. It is a message that political parties' alternative is ready if they are not corrected, Ghimire added. The former Prime Minister Khanal and youth leader Ghimire made such observations while the Balen supporters were all set for organizing victory rally.
Now, it is the time to see how independent leader Balendra puts into practice his policy and programmes and changes Kathmandu city.
