Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah resigned from his post on Sunday, January 18. He handed his resignation letter to Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, effective today.
With Balen’s resignation, Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol has become the acting mayor.
Balen, who won the Kathmandu mayoral race as an independent candidate, resigned in order to run as a candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026.
He is preparing to contest the House of Representatives election on March 5, 2026.
After joining the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) as a senior leader, Balen Shah went to the party office “Ghantighar” on Sunday immediately after resigning as Kathmandu’s mayor.
Amid a large crowd of RSP supporters, Balen reached the party office in Chamati and made his party entry official by ringing the bell installed in the office.
Party chair Rabi Lamichhane, vice-chair DP Aryal, and other leaders came to the office to welcome him.
After entering the party by ringing the bell, Balen also took on responsibilities within the RSP.
Balen had entered the RSP after signing a seven-point agreement with party chair Lamichhane on December 28, 2025.
Nepali media have reported internal discussions about him potentially running from Jhapa-5, a constituency widely associated with former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
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