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Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Pradip Paudel has urged the government to make public the report submitted by the Karki-led Commission, which was formed to investigate the Gen Z-led movement that occurred in September last year.

Taking to social media today, General Secretary Paudel demanded the government to release the report prepared by the Commission.

It may be noted that the interim government formed in the wake of the Gen Z movement had formed an investigation commission to probe the incidents that occurred during the uprising.

"It's been long since the Commission submitted the report. It is unfortunate that the report is still undisclosed and keeping the report in the dark has raised suspicions. It is the responsibility and duty of the government to make the report public," he observed. 

Paudel also reminded that the central working committee of the NC convened last Sunday had decided to formally urge the government to make the report public.

Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane called on Prime Minister Sushila Karki at the latter's official residence in Baluwatar on Sunday. 

On the occasion, President Lamichhane thanked PM Karki for successfully holding the historic House of Representatives (HoR) elections under her leadership. "HoR elections are  held in a free and fair atmosphere, giving a political exit to the country. It is a landmark achievement. For this success, I congratulate and thank the PM, her Cabinet members and secretariat," Lamichhane said. 

He also praised PM Karki's resolute stand for the sake of fair and peaceful elections in a short time. "I have reverence to you for giving a democratic exit to the country," President Lamichhane reiterated before the PM. The government under the PM's leadership will be remembered forever, according to him. He further shared that he had expected her continuous guardianship.

In response, PM Karki congratulated RSP for its electoral achievement. "People have huge expectations of you. Challenges abound. Cautious navigation is imperative to change the country," she reminded, suggesting Lamichhane that he responded to the critics with works. If the resolution is forwarded with honesty, it meets expectations, according to her.

The PM's secretariat said that RSP President Lamichhane said his party had no objection to the decision the government had taken recently. Discussion was held on political matters between them. 

"The government has the power to take any decision till it exists. So, we have no objection to its decisions," President Lamichhane said, expressing support for the government initiatives. 

He said his party had much respect for the government for its historic delivery.

Even the issues like problems facing Nepali students in Portugal, conflict in West Asia and problems Nepali labourers facing there and supply of petroleum products surfaced in the discussion. 

He urged the government to take proper initiatives on these pressing issues.

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has held a discussion on security arrangements in Singha Durbar in view of the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected members of the House of Representatives (HoR).

The meeting held on Sunday was attended by Secretary at Home Ministry, Raj Kumar Shrestha, Inspector General of Nepal Police, Dan Bahadur Karki, and high level officials at the Ministry. 

They dwelt on preparation of security for the swearing-in ceremony and the security inside Singh Durbar for the HoR sessions.

Home Minister Aryal directed the subordinates to ensure smooth security arrangement, traffic management and other logistics for conducting swearing-in ceremony and parliament meetings.

The security officials briefed the Minister on necessary arrangements in this regard.

Once a voice of protest through music, Balendra Shah aka ‘Balen’ is now at the center of Nepal’s political future—carrying both the hopes of a generation and the weight of rising expectations.

Shah has built an identity as an engineer, rapper, mayor and now the most preferred prime minister. Over the years, his music has resonated with the people, blending artistic expression with a clear sense of social direction. 

Through his songs, Shah questioned those in power, provoked thought, and sparked public conversation. His engineering background, meanwhile, translated into tangible work, helping rebuild earthquake-resilient homes and contributing to urban infrastructure projects. His political journey has since reinforced a simple but powerful argument: willingness to act is what politics most desperately needs. 

Most of his songs map social and political grievances onto a larger call for change, which resonates deeply among his followers. Farbin Napit, 21 says he has been a fan of Shah since grade seven. 

“Personally, I believe he was influenced by politics even before he became mayor, and I think he will do great—if not the best—for our country’s development and for raising Nepal’s profile on the world stage.”
Shah’s discography tells its own history. Sadak Balak, released 13 years ago, follows a homeless teenage boy without access to education—a portrait of Nepal’s street children struggling for survival.

Prahari—also released 13 years ago, is about the controversial moment when police cut people’s hair on the pretext of preventing crime, an action that triggered student protests in 2070 BS.

Other notable tracks include Aam Nepali Buwa, Tathya, Nepal Haseko, Balidan, Savage, Sabailai Hataar Cha, and Local Thito. A common thread runs through all of them: political awareness and a deep connection to social issues. At a 2014 rap battle with Little Grizl, Shah declared, “History is meant to be changed. Balen has not come yet!”  In hindsight, it reads less like a boast and more like a prophecy.

Those who have followed Shah reflect that sense of inevitability. Aayushi Shakya, 22 says she admires him because he is the first well-educated, well-known person to approach politics in this way.

“I started following him from his song Nepal Haseko. It was quite touching as a growing youth. I see him as a literate, self-confident person who truly believes he can change the nation. I also believe he will perform better than previous leaders.”

Samira Kiju, 20, says Shah is different from traditional politicians, which is refreshing. “I started following him more seriously around the 2022 Kathmandu mayoral election. Before that, I knew him mainly as a rapper, but his entry into politics made me pay closer attention.” She notes that Shah’s foray into politics never felt unconventional.

“He talked about social issues, corruption, and frustrations of youth through his music. So his political journey didn’t feel sudden. He always had political awareness—his journey into office made it official.”

Rajiv Maharjan, 20, has followed Shah since his mayoral campaign in Kathmandu. “As a person, I find him visionary, bold, and action-oriented. His rap showed social awareness; his political journey feels like a natural extension of that voice.” Rajiv is cautiously optimistic about Shah’s prime ministerial journey. “He has strong potential, but long-term results will matter most.” 

Krishal Maharjan, 19, echoes that admiration. Like others, he discovered Shah through music and thinks his political instincts were present long before he ran for mayor. 

A relative who knows Shah closely offered a more personal portrait. “He has a sharp memory and remembers people for a long time. He is very data-driven and tends to analyze things with a positive perspective.” The relative also pushed back against one common perception:“Some people think he is hard to approach, but he is actually open to those who reach out. He has clear plans and executes them smoothly. He speaks less, but when he does, his words are impactful.”

Political scientist Chandra Dev Bhatta says that public expectations from Shah are exceptionally high. “People are hopeful that Balen Shah will do his best for the nation. There is a strong sense of trust and optimism surrounding him.” He highlighted Shah’s working style as a defining characteristic. “Unlike many traditional political figures who tended to talk more and work less, Balen believes in working more and speaking less.”

On the question of political experience, Bhatta says while Shah may not have decades of political exposure, he has already proven himself as the mayor of Kathmandu. “He may not have long-term experience, but he has already proven himself through his work. “As an independent mayoral candidate, he not only won the election but also performed effectively.” 

Bhatta adds experience alone has never been a guarantee of a competent leader. “Willingness and intent matter as much as experience. Previous leaders may have had 50–60 years of experience, but that alone did not produce results. Shah’s commitment to change and his focus on action could be more impactful than rhetoric.”

Bhatta is also aware of the challenges that lie ahead for Shah after he has been sworn-in as the prime minister. Meeting high public expectations, ensuring good governance, managing fractious political landscape, and navigating complex geopolitical relationships will test whether Shah can prove his mettle at the national stage.