Former Rapper And Kathmandu Mayor To Become Nepal's Prime Minister
- 10.03.2026, 13:47
He won the election after the Generation Z protests.
Former rapper Balendra Shah could become Nepal's prime minister after his party's convincing election victory, the BBC writes.
The National Independent Party (also known as Rastriya Swatantra, RSP) has won its first election since Generation Z protests led to dozens of casualties and the overthrow of the government.
For the first time in decades, one party won a majority in Nepal, where the electoral system usually results in coalition governments.
35-year-old Shah defeated four-time prime minister 74-year-old Sharma Oli in Jhapa-5 constituency, a traditionally reliable constituency for the Communist Party of Nepal (UML).
"This is a victory of hope and change," said RSP co-leader Ramesh Paudyal. - 'This is the clearest vindication of the Generation Z movement. A true tribute to the martyrs of Generation Z will be expressed in the daily work of the Balendra Shah-led government."
The election results showed strong public discontent with the political establishment, with traditional parties and their leaders losing a large number of seats in parliament.
The election was considered one of the most significant and tense in recent years, pitting the political heavyweights who have dominated Nepali politics for decades against a younger generation promising to end corruption and open a new chapter for the country.
Who is Balendra Shah?"
Balendra Shah is a rapper turned politician and symbol of the "Generation Z revolution."
Despite relatively little political experience, the 35-year-old Shah was considered the favorite in the race. He ran a dynamic campaign, managing to capitalize on the desire for change - especially among young Nepalis.
Shah is an engineer by training, but he gained his popularity as a rapper who criticized poverty, unemployment and corruption in his songs. In 2022, he decided to enter politics and ran as an independent candidate for mayor of Kathmandu.
With a strong majority, he embarked on a massive task to bring order to the city, including demolishing illegal buildings and tackling the garbage problem.
It was youth protests last September, however, that propelled Shah to national prominence. After demonstrations suddenly erupted - initially sparked by a social media ban but fueled by broader discontent over corruption and economic conditions, the authorities responded with force - 21 protesters were killed.
The uprising escalated into wider riots and arson that left 70 people dead. It eventually led to the resignation of the government led by four-time prime minister K. P. Sharma Oli and his veteran Communist Party.
There was accumulated fatigue in Nepali politics due to the constant political maneuvering of the three major parties and the party system itself, where there was little incentive for reform and virtually no alternative, said Kathmandu-based analyst Amish Raj Mulmi.
"The results of this election can be seen as a vote against the old parties. The low turnout and high result of the RSP indicate that supporters of traditional parties simply did not come to the polls," he adds.
"Many Nepalis, including me, are very happy about it," 40-year-old Raghunath Neupane told the BBC. - I feel very optimistic."
Raghunath said the fact that Balen Shah and his party could win a two-thirds majority gives him hope that Nepal will be governed by a more stable government than the fragile coalitions of the past.
"I think Balen is capable of rooting out corruption and moving the economy forward," he said.
Raghunath has some concerns, however.
As mayor, Balen was criticized by human rights groups for his heavy-handed use of police against street vendors as he tried to clear the capital's roads and crack down on unlicensed outlets. Shah's campaign headquarters did not respond to a BBC request for comment.