Ex-Rapper Balendra Shah Poised to Lead Nepal After Landslide Election Victory
Balendra Shah, the former rapper turned political figurehead of Nepal's gen Z movement, is set to become the country's next prime minister following his party's unprecedented landslide election win. Shah's Rastriya Swatantra party (RSP) secured a thumping majority in the first national poll since youth-led protests last year that resulted in dozens of deaths and the toppling of the former government.
A Victory for Hope and Change
"It is the victory of hope and change," declared Ramesh Paudyal, a senior RSP leader. "It is the most beautiful endorsement of the gen Z movement. The true tribute to the gen Z martyrs will be expressed through the work carried out every day by the government led by Balendra Shah."
Public discontent with Nepal's political old guard was starkly evident in the election results, with veteran parties and their leaders losing vast numbers of seats. Balen's RSP, formed just three years ago by a former television executive, was handed a rare outright majority.
Breaking the Coalition Trend
Nepal's electoral system, which combines first-past-the-post with proportional representation, has historically produced weak coalition governments. However, as counting reached its final stages, RSP had won at least 117 out of 185 direct seats and was leading in eight more. This puts the party on course for the biggest electoral majority since Nepal became a democracy.
The final election results, which will include additional seats appointed through proportional representation, are expected in the coming days.
A Battle of Generations
The contest was widely regarded as one of the most significant and gripping in years, pitting the heavyweights who have dominated Nepal's politics for decades against a younger generation pledging to end corruption and bring about a fresh start for the country.
Despite his relative political inexperience, Shah, 35, had been seen as the frontrunner throughout the campaign. He ran a dynamic campaign that tapped into the hunger for change, particularly among young Nepalis.
From Rapper to Mayor to National Leader
An engineer by training, Shah first rose to fame as a rapper whose tracks took aim at poverty, unemployment, and corruption. In 2022, he pivoted to public office, running independently to become the mayor of Kathmandu. After winning a strong majority, he began the mammoth task of cleaning up the city, including removing unauthorized buildings and sorting out rubbish.
However, it was the youth uprising in September last year that elevated Shah to national prominence. After protests suddenly erupted, sparked by a ban on social media but driven by larger frustrations about lack of opportunities, the government hit back with force, resulting in 19 protester deaths.
The uprising spiraled into wider unrest and arson attacks that left 70 dead, ultimately resulting in the resignation of the government led by four-time prime minister KP Sharma Oli and his veteran Communist party.
Symbolic Victory Over the Old Guard
In a powerful symbol of the battle between the old guard and the new generation, Shah chose to stand in the Jhapa-5 constituency, running directly against 74-year-old Oli. Shah's overwhelming victory was finally declared on Saturday night: by 68,348 votes to 18,724 for Oli.
As he conceded defeat, former prime minister Oli said he wished Shah an "uninterrupted five-year term, heartfelt best wishes."
Arriving to pick up his certificate of election in his signature dark sunglasses and black blazer, Shah emerged from the sunroof of his vehicle and held up a banner bearing the words: "Congratulations to all of you, this is your victory."
Jubilation and Expectations
In Jhapa-5, there was much jubilation at his win. "One of the main factors behind the gen Z movement, KP Oli, has been defeated. It feels like justice has been delivered to the martyrs," said Aditya Karna, 23. "Now there is an expectation that Balen will lead the country toward a better future."
Bhawana Raut, a leader of the gen Z movement in Jhapa, said the result meant there could finally be "healing" after the violence unleashed in the September protests. "This sends a clear message to everyone who comes to power: you must be accountable," he said. "Even leaders who rose after such a huge struggle can be brought down to zero by voters in a single moment. The government must be a servant of the people, not a ruling authority."
Daunting Challenges Ahead
Nonetheless, analysts emphasized that Shah faces a daunting task ahead, including managing the high expectations placed upon him by the younger generation. Among the promises made during his campaign was to investigate and prosecute previous leaders for entrenched corruption, and the Oli government for its role in killing gen Z protesters.
"The public has many aspirations and many desires," said political analyst Lok Raj Baral. "They have placed extremely high hopes, but in a country like Nepal it is very difficult to deliver. The bureaucracy remains the same old one, only the political leadership is new."
With Nepal landlocked between India and China – whose competing interests have often run roughshod over domestic needs – many emphasized how important foreign policy would be in Balen's premiership.
Baral added: "They won a majority largely because they convinced people that they would work for good governance. That mandate is positive. But from the moment Balen becomes prime minister, challenges will be waiting for him at every step."
