Nepal, May 19 -- The performative pomposity of Prime Minister Balendra Shah is irritatingly perplexing. For reasons not difficult to infer, he prefers digital monologues over institutional dialogue. Since being elected, how many times has he addressed the Parliament? Nada. How many press conferences has he held? Zilch. He refused to address the inaugural session of the Pratinidhi Sabha and walked out mid-way through President Ramchandra Paudel's address on policy and programme. Rather than answering lawmakers' questions, he deputed a cabinet colleague to face the House.

The freshly painted ceilings of the Parliament hall apparently give Shah claustrophobia. He prefers the adulation of the digital fiefdom that he has built as a rapper. Hi...