Prime Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) senior leader Balendra Shah on Saturday said the party, which began with a determination to rebuild the country, has matured into an organised political force as it convenes its first general convention.

Addressing the inaugural session of the convention in Bharatpur, Chitwan, Shah said he had listened carefully to the advice, suggestions and concerns expressed by leaders of various political parties who spoke before him.

Referring to remarks made by the political leaders that a government should function like a vehicle with both an accelerator and brakes, Shah said the comparison did not apply to his government.

“Some leaders said a government is like a vehicle and that every vehicle needs brakes,” Shah said. “That is true when you are driving on local roads, where you may need to stop suddenly. But our vehicle is travelling on an expressway. We will apply the brakes only after reaching our destination. There is no need to brake before then. Our vehicle is under control, the road ahead is clear, and there is no reason for concern.”

Responding to concerns about whether the RSP could sustain the public mandate it has received, Shah said the party had ushered in a lasting political shift rather than a temporary wave of support.

“People often say public opinion changes like the wind,” he said. “But we have not merely created a gust of wind. We have redirected the course of a river. Once a river returns to its natural course, it continues to flow forward. It does not change direction like the wind. We welcome your concerns and your guidance.”

Shah also recalled advice from a close friend who had warned him that remaining in the public spotlight was more difficult than entering it.

“A close friend once told me, ‘Balen, it is easy to step into the spotlight, but difficult to remain there.’ Similar concerns have been expressed today about whether the RSP can sustain the nearly two-thirds public mandate it has received,” he said. “Let me make one thing clear. It was the people who brought us into the spotlight. The people were, are and will always remain in the spotlight.”

Addressing speculation over the party’s ideological orientation, Shah said the RSP was guided by development rather than traditional political labels.

“Some people are preoccupied with whether we are on the right or the left,” he said. “We are a development-oriented party. We are here to move the country forward, not to settle scores or revive old disputes.”

At the same time, he said the government would continue to act against wrongdoing while remaining within the law.

“If public land is encroached upon, we will take action. If that means questioning officials of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority for five hours, we will do so. If necessary, we will continue for five years. But every action will remain within the law. Social media may create the impression that things are out of control, but they are not. Everything is proceeding within the legal framework.”

Shah also responded to criticism of his recent remarks on Nepal’s border disputes, saying his comments had been misunderstood.

“Some are worried about our position on border issues,” he said. “When we raise these matters, the other country naturally asks us to present evidence. We have evidence regarding Kalapani and Lipulekh. I only said that if we need to consult records from the British period to support Nepal’s claim, we will do so. I did not say Britain should mediate. We will resolve these issues directly with our neighbours. We have the evidence, and we will present it. No one should question my commitment to Nepal’s national interest.”