India’s former Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae has called the performance of Balendra Shah and his Rashtriya Swatantra Party in Nepal’s recently held elections “an astounding victory”, the scale of which has taken everyone by surprise. He says Balendra Shah in his person bridged the traditional divide in Nepal between the hills and the plains. He presented himself in the Terai as the son of the soil, often speaking in Maithili, and, of course, was very familiar to the hills because he has served as a remarkably successful Mayor of Kathmandu. However, with his huge majority expectations are sky-high. The RSP has committed itself to creating 1.2 million jobs, doubling national income and starting a health insurance for all. Ambassador Rae says the RSP has “very competent leaders” which he called the best talent available in the country. They will ne ...