Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s administration is facing significant criticism for its governance style, perceived disregard for parliamentary procedures, and controversial executive actions, including the recent arrest and swift release of former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana. Critics argue that Shah’s leadership, which began after his Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives, is undermining Nepal’s democratic institutions.
Governance Concerns and Controversies
Former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana was arrested on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at midnight from his Maharajgunj residence in Kathmandu by the Valley Crime Investigation Office. He was released 12 hours later. Police did not provide a formal reason for the arrest, though family members were reportedly told of “threats from Gen Z.” The Nepali Congress questioned the legality of the arrest. Rana had previously been suspended under an impeachment motion, which the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench dismissed on Bhadra 24 (BS), ruling its justification had expired.
Prime Minister Shah has frequently been absent from parliamentary sessions. He left a session midway during President Ramchandra Paudel’s presentation of the government’s policies and programs. Shah has also authorized Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle to answer questions from lawmakers on his behalf, breaking the rule requiring the Prime Minister to face a question-and-answer session monthly. His statement in parliament regarding Nepal-India border issues, where he claimed “Nepal also encroached on Indian territory,” sparked further controversy. The Prime Minister has also been criticized for prioritizing ordinances over parliamentary debate and for not attending parliamentary party meetings. Concerns about executive overreach were also raised when officials from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Nepal’s anti-graft body, were reportedly held at the Prime Minister’s secretariat for an entire day, allegedly to facilitate the arrest of an unnamed individual.
This governance approach has drawn sharp criticism from political analysts and opposition leaders, who view it as a departure from established democratic norms and a threat to the rule of law. Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa, for instance, stated that parliament remains “closed” as long as the Prime Minister does not maintain a respectful presence. Shah’s response to such criticism, including a late-night social media post targeting the Nepali Congress, has been described as intolerant and misleading.
Background to Shah’s Premiership
Prime Minister Shah, Nepal’s first Madheshi-origin Prime Minister, was appointed on March 27, 2026, following the RSP’s landslide victory in the House of Representatives election on Falgun 21 (BS). The RSP, founded by former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, emerged as a significant political force, initially winning 21 seats before securing a two-thirds majority. This rise followed the “Gen Z Uprising” on September 9 and 10, 2025, a nationwide protest against social media restrictions and corruption that led to the resignation of then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government. The uprising resulted in 76 deaths, 2,429 injuries, and an estimated Rs 84.45 billion in property damage.
Shah’s tenure has also been marked by other controversies, including military action against squatter settlements within a month of his appointment. This led to the displacement of thousands, with two reported suicides and seven deaths attributed to the “bulldozer terror” and homelessness. Furthermore, RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane faces ongoing legal challenges related to cooperative fraud cases, having been arrested on October 19, 2024, and released on bail on February 6, 2025. The government’s decision to withdraw money laundering and organized crime cases against him remains controversial.
The federal parliament’s current session concluded on October 2, 2026. Opposition parties are demanding Prime Minister Shah’s regular attendance and accountability in the upcoming winter session, which is typically focused on legislation. The formal reason for former Chief Justice Rana’s arrest remains undisclosed by the police, and investigations into his alleged contacts with intermediaries and high-ranking police officials are ongoing. Similarly, the final legal outcomes of Rabi Lamichhane’s cooperative fraud cases and the justification for the government’s decision to withdraw certain charges are yet to be fully determined. The long-term impact of Prime Minister Shah’s approach on democratic values and government accountability in Nepal remains a subject of ongoing debate.
