New Delhi, March 24 (NationPress) The Central Committee of Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which achieved a remarkable victory in the March 5 general elections, is set to convene on Thursday afternoon to choose its Parliamentary Party leader, as reported from Kathmandu.

It is highly likely that the party will appoint the engineer-rapper and social media phenomenon, Balendra Shah, who had previously been nominated as the Prime Ministerial candidate.

The 35-year-old, affectionately called 'Balen', has become a significant figure in politics after his tenure as Mayor of Kathmandu and his role in spearheading the youth-driven "Gen Z" protests that led to the downfall of the prior government.

Capitalizing on his widespread popularity, the centrist RSP, established in 2022, won an overwhelming majority, obtaining 182 out of 275 seats in the House of Representatives.

Balen notably triumphed over former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in the latter's stronghold of Jhapa-5 constituency, marking a significant departure from Nepal's conventional political elite.

On Thursday, the newly elected members of the House of Representatives are also anticipated to take their oaths before the central committee meeting, which will be led by party President Rabi Lamichhane.

This day coincides with the celebration of Ram Navami.

Once in office, the new administration will face the urgent task of addressing Nepal's economic issues and implementing strategies for recovery, public sector reforms, and job creation.

Moreover, immediate fiscal discipline and visible anti-corruption initiatives will be crucial politically.

Simultaneously, challenges such as climate resilience, energy shortages, and infrastructure deficits must also be tackled.

Balen, who advocates for a "Nepal-first" approach, will need to navigate a careful balance in foreign policy with neighboring powers, India and China.

The Kathmandu Post highlighted the pressing concerns regarding climate change and water security, urging that these issues, alongside jobs and energy, be prioritized due to the increasing risks of glacial melt, floods, and droughts.

Though the RSP's election manifesto includes various strategies to combat climate change, the report emphasized the need for significant transparency and clarity around these commitments, given Nepal's specific vulnerabilities.

The Cabinet will be under rigorous observation concerning governance, anti-corruption efforts, and public service delivery.

The political shift in Kathmandu comes in response to mid-term elections compelled by Gen Z activists advocating for a clean, efficient, and non-partisan government.

Infrastructure development and safety remain critical areas of focus.

Despite a rise in tourist arrivals in January and February, equaling pre-Covid figures, a series of aviation incidents and outdated airport facilities have drawn significant criticism, with the European Union placing Nepal's civil aviation on its blacklist since 2013.

Meanwhile, swift expenditure on jobs and infrastructure poses risks of fiscal imbalance, necessitating targeted public-private partnerships and coordination with donors.

While Hip-Hop has gained traction in Nepal following the support of numerous artists for last year's Gen Z movement, it will require more than music to ensure the government operates with the efficiency that citizens expect.

As noted by The Kathmandu Post in an opinion piece on Monday, the challenges ahead can be summed up as "11 battles of Balendra," where "Ultimately, his true test will be in his outlook."

The article remarked, "This extraordinary narrative of power dynamics places Balendra Shah at the forefront of Nepali politics as its storyteller. This week, he will officially step into Singha Durbar, the Chief Executive's Secretariat. The journey to Singha Durbar is laden with suspense and intrigue, having become legendary in its own right. Yet, this also encapsulates the essence of electoral politics."