A fissure appeared in the brand-new Balen Shah-led government in Nepal even before the dust of celebrations settled, and it came with a quiet but telling omission: Amresh Kumar Singh was left out of the cabinet. The buzz in Kathmandu corridors had strongly suggested that Singh would take charge of the Ministry of Industry. Instead, Prime Minister Balen Shah kept that ministry for himself, along with the powerful Defence portfolio. This left Singh watching from the sidelines.
The surprise did not turn into public anger, at least not on record. Speaking to The Statesman, Singh sounded calm and measured. “I will now serve as a Member of Parliament. The ball is in the court of the Prime Minister (Balen) and the Party President (Rabi Lamichhane),” he said.
There was curiosity about why he had been overlooked, especially after his impressive political performance. Singh had defeated Nepali Congress heavyweight Gagan Thapa by a huge margin, and he is not new to parliament either. Yet, when asked about the snub, Singh simply remarked, “They perhaps know what they are doing. I will do my part.”
Also Read: Breaking the glass ceiling: Five women ministers assume key portfolios in Balen Shah’s 15-member cabinet
Behind the scenes, the decision looks strategic. Balen Shah, leading the new government, has decided to keep both Defence and Industry under his direct control. This effectively shut the door on Singh’s expected ministerial role, even though many believed he was almost certain to be included.
Singh’s political journey is not a small one. He first stepped into politics with the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Nepal before later moving to the Nepali Congress. Over the years, he built a strong electoral reputation. He was elected as Member of Parliament from Sarlahi-4 after defeating Congress president Gagan Kumar Thapa. He also represented Sarlahi in the House of Representatives for three consecutive terms on a Nepali Congress ticket.
His record goes further back. In 2014, Singh secured a seat in the second Nepalese Constituent Assembly from Sarlahi-6. During his time in parliament, he served as a member of the State Management and Good Governance Committee.
For now, Singh says he will continue his role as an MP. But in Kathmandu’s ever-whispering political circles, the early exclusion has already sparked chatter.