RSP Candidate For Dailekh-2 Bakhat Bahadur Shahi: A Vision for Energy & Growth
9th January 2026, Kathmandu
This interview with Bakhat Bahadur Shahi, a seasoned Civil Engineer and former CEO of the government-owned Electricity Generation Company Limited (EGCL), highlights his transition from a technical expert to a political leader within the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
RSP Candidate For Dailekh-2
“I still want to stand as a technician and a development enthusiast rather than a typical politician. I can calculate the cost, quality, and monitoring of a project myself. If given the chance, I will use my 30 years of experience to turn Dailekh’s potential in gas, petroleum, and water into reality.” Bakhat Bahadur Shahi
From Engineering to Politics: A Mission for Policy Reform
Candidate Profile: Bakhat Bahadur Shahi
Background: Civil Engineer (Topper/Gold Medalist), Former CEO of Electricity Generation Company Ltd.
Political Affiliation: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)
Constituency: Dailekh, District No. 2
1. The Motivation: Why Politics Now?
Shahi emphasizes that he never harbored long-term political ambitions. He considers himself a “technical person” who intended to contribute as an expert in the National Planning Commission or policy-making bodies.
The Turning Point: The “Gen-Z” movement and the growing public frustration with traditional politics forced him to reconsider.
The Gap: He realized that technical expertise alone isn’t enough to drive mega-projects like Dudh Koshi, Upper Arun, or Budhigandaki. Without political will and alignment at the Prime Ministerial and Ministerial levels, vital energy projects remain stalled.
The Goal: “My goal is not power; it is policy reform, protection of investment, and sustainable development.”
2. Professional Track Record
Shahi brings a data-driven, result-oriented approach to his candidacy:
Academic Excellence: Topper and Gold Medalist in Civil Engineering from India; high achiever at Pulchowk Campus.
Project Experience: Led the Kalanga Hydropower project for five years and achieved 70% completion of the 111 MW Nilgiri Hydropower project in a short timeframe.
Government Service: As CEO of EGCL, he advanced studies and Tenders for major projects, including Mugu Karnali, Fukot Karnali, Kimathanka, and Jagadulla.
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3. Why the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)?
Shahi chose RSP over traditional parties for several strategic reasons:
Accountability: He believes traditional parties lack clear indicators of performance and fail to be answerable to the public.
Culture of Merit: RSP offers an open career path for professionals (doctors, engineers, experts) rather than just career politicians.
The Youth Crisis: He is driven by the pain of seeing thousands of Nepali youths leave the country daily due to a lack of local opportunities a problem he believes old parties have failed to address.
4. Diagnosing Nepal’s Hydropower Crisis
As an expert, Shahi identifies the core bottlenecks in Nepal’s energy sector:
Lack of Integrated Planning: There is a massive disconnect between generation, transmission, and distribution. Licenses are often issued without ensuring transmission lines are ready.
Bureaucratic Hurdles: It took over two years just to pass the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) for the Mugu Karnali project. He describes the Forest and Land Revenue departments as “unresponsive.”
Investment Stagnation: Despite billions spent (e.g., 45 billion NPR on Budhigandaki), there is no return on investment due to shifting political priorities.
5. Key Priorities for Dailekh and the Nation
If elected, Shahi has a clear roadmap for his constituency and the energy sector:
The “Single Window” System: Removing complex policies to encourage private and foreign investment.
Time-Bound Contracts: Implementing a “Time, Quality, and Cost” framework. If a contractor or developer (like GMR in Upper Karnali) fails to meet deadlines, the contract should be terminated immediately.
Infrastructure for Access: Prioritizing year-round motorable roads to every ward in Dailekh as the foundation for health, education, and market access.
Energy as Wealth: Fast-tracking Upper Karnali, Fukot Karnali, and Betan Karnali to ensure local employment and secure the state’s share of free equity and energy.
For more: RSP Candidate for Dailekh-2
