Sampang denounces Rabi–Balen alliance as power grab backed by foreign interests

KATHMANDU: Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor and Shraam Sanskriti Party Chair Harka Sampang has strongly objected to the recent political understanding between Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, branding it a nexus driven by power interests and aimed at institutionalising foreign influence.

In a video message posted on social media on Sunday morning, Mayor Sampang launched a scathing critique of the emerging cooperation between the two political figures.

Although he did not name them directly, his remarks were widely understood to be directed at Lamichhane and Shah, as he raised serious questions about their political intent and character.

Targeting Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah in particular, Sampang accused him of exploiting the emotions of “Gen Z” youth. He criticised what he described as a tendency to push young people onto the streets and into protests, while leaders themselves remain in safe positions, watching from a distance instead of taking responsibility.

“Such characters provoke the youth to fight and clash, but hide inside and enjoy the spectacle,” Sampang said in an aggressive tone. “When hundreds of citizens are harmed and the country burns, they sit inside and smile. They do not have the courage to come out.”

Sampang further questioned the moral authority of such leadership to seek votes during elections, asking how leaders who merely “watch silently” when Singha Durbar burns or when the country faces crisis can now appeal to the public for support.

He claimed that the reported electoral coordination and understanding between Ravi and Balen was a ‘setting’ carried out under foreign direction.

According to Sampang, the alliance is not intended to build the nation but to secure power and hand over the country’s interests to foreign forces.

“This is all happening for the sake of chairs and to auction off the country,” he alleged. “We have already directly experienced foreign dominance. Now, such figures are being pushed forward to institutionalise it.”

Mayor Sampang also took an indirect swipe at RSP President Rabi Lamichhane, referring to the cooperative fraud controversy and alleged proximity to supporters of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement.

He argued that a government formed by aligning with cooperative scam issues and pro-MCC actors cannot genuinely work in the interest of the people.

Sampang’s remarks add another layer of tension to Nepal’s evolving political landscape, especially as discussions around new alliances and electoral strategies intensify ahead of upcoming elections.