In a historic move, Balendra or Balen Shah has taken the oath as the Prime Minister of Nepal. The ceremony was held at Shital Niwas, where President Ramchandra Paudel formally administered the oath in a special event.
This marks the first time since the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal 2072 that Article 76(1) has been used to appoint a Prime Minister. It is also the first time a member of the Madhesi community has assumed Nepal’s top executive post.
From mayor to Prime Minister in months
Balen Shah, previously the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, resigned to contest the parliamentary elections. Running from Jhapa Constituency No. 5, he defeated former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli by nearly 50,000 votes.
Immediately after entering the parliament, he became the Prime Minister.
Key cabinet appointments
Prime Minister Balen has personally taken charge of the Defense and Industry ministries. Other cabinet members include:
Swarnim Wagle – Finance Minister
Sudhan Gurung – Home Minister
Shishir Khanal – Foreign Minister
Sunil Lamsal – Physical Infrastructure, Transport, and Urban Development
Biraj Bhakta Shrestha – Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation
Khadkaraj Paudel (Ganess) – Tourism
Sasmit Pokhrel – Education, Science & Technology, Youth & Sports
Nisha Mehta – Health and Population
Bikram Timilsina – Communications
Pratibha Rawal – General Administration
Deepak Sah (Mahottari) – Labour and Employment
Sobita Gautam – Law
Gita Chaudhary – Agriculture & Livestock, Forests & Environment
Sita Badi – Women, Children, and Social Welfare