Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper who entered politics, is on the cusp of becoming Nepal's next Prime Minister. His centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has secured at least 122 of the 165 directly elected seats in the House of Representatives and is leading in three more constituencies. Final election results are expected to be announced in the coming days.

This election marks a significant shift, being the first held since youth-led protests overthrew the government of Prime Minister Sharma Oli in 2025. Nepal's House of Representatives has 275 seats, with 165 directly elected by constituency and 110 allocated through a proportional representation system for parties.

Ramesh Paudyal, a senior leader of the RSP, highlighted the victory's importance: "This is the most beautiful testament to the support for the Gen Z movement in Nepal. True gratitude for the young people who fell will be shown through the daily work of the government led by Balendra Shah". Dozens were killed in clashes between security forces and protesters last year, underscoring the deep-seated grievances that fueled the youth movement.

Politician Balendra Shah celebrates with supporters in Jhapa, Nepal, on 7/3. Photo: Reuters

Shah's RSP party was founded three years ago by a former television executive. This election was seen as a confrontation between Nepal's veteran politicians and a younger generation committed to ending corruption and ushering in a new beginning for the nation. Although new to politics, Shah was considered a promising candidate due to his vibrant campaign that garnered significant interest from young Nepalis.

Shah, originally an engineer, later became a rapper, gaining fame for songs criticizing poverty, unemployment, and corruption in Nepal. In 2022, he ran as an independent candidate and won the Kathmandu mayoral election, then focused on reforming the capital, from addressing illegal construction to tackling waste management.

Supporters of Shah and the RSP party gather on the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal, on 28/2. Photo: AFP

Last year, after the government of Prime Minister Oli, who served four terms, collapsed, protest leaders wanted Shah to become interim prime minister. However, he declined, choosing to wait for the official election on 5/3. Nepal subsequently chose former Supreme Court chief justice Sushila Karki, 73, as interim Prime Minister.

Shah ran in the Jhapa 5 constituency, competing directly against Oli, 74. His decisive victory was confirmed on the evening of 7/3, with 68,348 votes compared to Oli's 18,724 votes. The former prime minister later conceded defeat, wishing Shah a "full, smooth 5-year term".

Analysts suggest that after taking office as Prime Minister, Shah will face many challenges, including the task of meeting the high expectations of Nepal's youth. He has also pledged to investigate and prosecute corrupt former officials, and to hold the previous government accountable for the deaths of Gen Z protesters.

Duc Trung (According to Guardian, Al Jazeera, AP)