JANAKPURDHAM: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has held its first election declaration rally in Janakpurdham, the capital of Madhesh Province. Among the various political gatherings organized at the local Tirhutiya Gachhi over the past decade, RSP’s rally on Monday witnessed the largest turnout.

The “Declaration for Change” rally was held in the presence of RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, senior leader Balendra Shah (Balen), and other party leaders and cadres.

Both Rabi and Balen were dressed in kurta-pajama and gamchha, reflecting Madhesh’s cultural identity. The event, however, saw greater public enthusiasm for Balen than for Rabi. After every speaker finished their address, young attendees chanted slogans of “Balen, Balen.”

Balen did not disappoint the crowd. He addressed the gathering in Maithili, the local mother tongue, and concluded his speech with “Jai Madhesh.” Saying that he had come to work, he urged the people of Madhesh to give a son of Madhesh the opportunity to serve.

Balen playing a damaru while sounding a conch ahead of an election rally held at Tirhutiya Gachhi in Janakpur. Photo: Balen’s Secretariat

Since arriving in Janakpur on Sunday evening, Balen has spoken very little in Nepali. At the rally, he spoke entirely in Maithili and clarified that neither he nor his party is against Madhesh or federalism. He said people no longer need to go to Kathmandu to demand rights; Kathmandu should only be visited for worship and sightseeing.

“Janakpur is a provincial capital,” he said. “If one has to go to Kathmandu even to change the chief administrative officer here, then what is the meaning of federalism? Kathmandu is not a place to go and demand rights; it is a place to visit, to see Pashupatinath and Swayambhu, not to beg for rights.”

Citing the changes he implemented in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Balen stressed that Madhesh too needs similar political and social transformation. He said that although he was criticized during his nearly four-year tenure as mayor for not meeting people, he was often forced to remain a silent spectator.

“They say I don’t meet people. Every day there are protests at Maitighar Mandala – by sugarcane farmers, by victims of usury. I sit there as a mute spectator, unable to do anything,” he said.

He added that if he could send ambulances to 35 local governments while being in Kathmandu, he could do much more if he were at the federal level. He also said Kathmandu Metropolitan City provides scholarships to 20,000 students every year.

“Free visa, free ticket to study in expensive colleges – without paying a single rupee. Not to go abroad, but to study,” he said. “Today, 20,000 students study in good colleges without paying anything. This is socialism.”

In the previous House of Representatives election, RSP’s presence in Madhesh was extremely weak. In the 2022 general election, the party secured only 107,084 proportional representation votes from Madhesh Province, where the total number of voters was 3,386,628.

People attending a gathering held at Tirhutiya Gachhi in Janakpur. Photo: Balen’s Secretariat

In the first-past-the-post system, RSP failed to win a single seat in Madhesh, reinforcing the perception that the region did not trust the party. However, RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane said today’s turnout energized him, showing that the people of Madhesh desire change.

“We want change. Support us in changing the people’s destiny and future,” Lamichhane said.

RSP Vice-Chair Swarnim Wagle stated that the current federal system has become merely a platform for managing political leaders, and that RSP wants a more advanced form of federalism.

“We want a federalism that delivers development to the people. Please do not misunderstand us,” he urged.

Former Maoist leader Rehbar Ansari, who recently left the Maoist party, and former independent lawmaker Amresh Kumar Singh, also addressed the rally and appealed to the public to make a “son of Madhesh” the prime minister. Former lawmaker Singh said, “I have come to beg Madhesh. Make a son of Madhesh the prime minister, otherwise I will self-immolate.”

RSP appears to be trying to attract young voters rather than relying on traditional Madheshi constituencies. The large youth turnout at today’s rally has given the party hope. Although many attendees had not yet decided whom to vote for, most said they had come primarily to see Balen and Rabi.

“I came to hear what kind of things they talk about,” said Anjani Thapa, a first-time voter.

Another local youth, Balaram Sah, said Balen emerged as a leader with a clear vision for development based on his speech. Binod Kant Jha, a resident of Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City–4, said Balen’s popularity could bring change to Madhesh politics.

Most speakers at the rally strongly criticized Madhesh-centric parties. However, leaders of those parties argued that Balen’s entry into Madhes politics would not make much difference. JSP Nepal leader Parmeshwar Sah said people are unlikely to immediately trust RSP or Balen.

“The public knows everything. I don’t think they will be misled by speeches,” he said.

He added that since traditional parties continue to dominate Madhesh politics, there would be little impact except under extraordinary circumstances.

“Young people’s frustration with political parties has created some crowd, but it will not significantly influence the election,” he said.

Balen in Madhesh: From temples to floral tributes

Senior RSP leader Balen, who arrived in Janakpurdham on Sunday evening at around 5 wearing a black cap and coat, appeared in a completely different outfit on Monday morning. Leaving behind his signature attire, he wore a white kurta-pajama with a black Nehru jacket.

After holding late-night discussions with local RSP leaders and Gen Z activists on Sunday, Balen reached Janaki Temple early Monday morning at around 5—even though the temple’s main gate opens only at 6 am.

Accompanied by former House of Representatives member Amresh Kumar Singh and recently resigned Sports Minister Bablu Gupta, Balen performed worship at the temple and participated in the aarati.

From the temple, Balen’s team headed straight to Lahan in Siraha district, where he offered floral tributes to the statue of Ramesh Mahato, the first martyr of the Madhesh movement. Mahato was killed by police gunfire in Lahan on this day in 2007. Madhesh-centric parties observe this day as Martyrs’ Day, marking the beginning of the Madhesh movement.

This is the main reason Balen chose 5 Magh (January 19 this year) as the launch date of his Madhesh campaign. By organizing the rally on Martyrs’ Day, he appears to be attempting to project himself as pro-Madhesh. Madhesh-based parties have previously accused him of being anti-Madhesh due to his campaign targeting scrap businesses in Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Balen offering prayers at Janaki Temple.

From Lahan, Balen visited his maternal uncle’s home in Jamunibas, Mithila Municipality–8, Dhanusha. There, he bowed at the feet of his 75-year-old uncle, Kari Ram Purveli, and received his blessings. His uncle embraced him in return.

He then returned to Janakpur, where he also offered floral tributes to the statues of martyrs of the Madhesh movement at Sahid Gate in Rajaul.

A large presence of youth was seen throughout Balen’s morning engagements.

Later on Monday, Balen attended  “Declaration for Change” rally at Tirhutiya Gachhi in Janakpur. Posters of RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and Balen were put up around the venue. The program later began with the blowing of a conch shell.