KATHMANDU: This cartoon acts as a sharp political satire on the contemporary alliance and damage-control dynamics between Rabi Lamichhane, the Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen).

In the context of Balen’s highly controversial eviction and demolition drives in Kathmandu, the imagery suggests a protective political shield being manufactured behind the scenes.

Rabi Lamichhane is depicted holding up his party’s banner like a massive blue curtain, actively trying to conceal a figure who is unmistakably Balen—identifiable by his trademark seated posture on a plush couch with only his leather shoes exposed.

The speech bubble, where Balen says, “Let’s cover it well, or my shoes might be seen again!”, serves as a double entendre; it highlights a desperate attempt to completely mask Balen’s aggressive executive actions from public scrutiny and from the critical gaze of rival politicians (seen questioning “What?” and “Where?” on the left), while fearing that any slip-up will leave a visible trail of negative publicity that could tumbles back onto the RSP itself.