Pokhara, 27 March| Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has been appointed as the Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation in the newly formed Cabinet led by Prime Minister Balen Shah. The 44-year-old leader, elected from Kathmandu Constituency-8, assumes the role as part of a government that emphasizes youth leadership and reform-oriented governance.
In the recent parliamentary elections, Shrestha secured a decisive victory over his rival Suman Sayami of the Communist Party, winning by a margin of 21,375 votes. He received 24,592 votes, while Sayami managed only 3,217 votes. This marks his second consecutive win from the same constituency, having also been elected in the 2022 elections, further strengthening his political standing.
Shrestha began his political career through the Bibeksheel Sajha movement, gradually rising from a Bagmati Province Assembly member to a prominent figure in federal politics. He previously served as Minister for Youth and Sports, where he gained recognition for his proactive efforts to reform the sports sector and boost athlete morale during his relatively short tenure.
Academically, Shrestha holds a degree in Business Administration and initially built his career in hotel and restaurant management, along with involvement in various development projects. His public profile significantly expanded following the 2015 earthquake, during which he led volunteer initiatives focused on relief distribution and healthcare services for affected communities across multiple regions.
He has also been actively involved in environmental advocacy. Through his organization “Force Nepal,” Shrestha launched campaigns such as “One Tree – My Responsibility,” encouraging community participation in environmental conservation. Additionally, he played a crucial role in the legislative process that recognized Nepal Bhasa and Tamang languages as official working languages in Bagmati Province.
During his tenure in the federal parliament, Shrestha has consistently advocated for good governance and policy reforms. He notably voiced strong opposition to the Guthi Bill, representing community concerns both in parliament and on the streets.
As he takes charge of the Energy Ministry, expectations are high for Shrestha to drive reforms in Nepal’s energy sector, which is considered vital for the country’s economic growth. Observers believe his experience and reform-oriented approach could contribute to improved policy implementation and sectoral development.
