Monday, January 19th, 2026

Balen Shah to stay in Damak ahead of election campaign



KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Balen Shah, who formally entered politics by resigning from Kathmandu Metropolitan City on Sunday, is set to stay at a hotel in Damak on Monday, his secretariat said.

Addressing supporters in Janakpur for the first time, Shah is scheduled to arrive in Jhapa shortly afterward. According to a member of his secretariat, he is expected to travel from Biratnagar Airport to Jhapa.

However, if a large crowd gathers late at night, Shah may instead arrive via Chandragadhi Airport, the secretariat member added. “Depending on the situation and the crowd, he will choose the safest route. Only if it becomes difficult to manage the crowd will he arrive via Chandragadhi Airport,” the official said.

RSP’s Jhapa secretary, Shambhu Suskera, said the security authorities in Jhapa were informed on Friday about Shah’s arrival. “We cannot publicly disclose his accommodation, but arrangements have been made for him to stay in Damak,” Suskera said.

After stepping down from Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Balen Shah is preparing to contest the House of Representatives election from Jhapa-5, the constituency of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

According to UML leaders, Oli has landed in Jhapa and may stay at his private residence.

Publish Date : 19 January 2026 13:55 PM

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