Rapper-Turned-Politician Balen Shah’s Party Poised to Lead Nepal’s New Government
Kathmandu, Nepal – The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), founded just four years ago, is set to dominate Nepal’s new parliament with a near two-thirds majority, marking a dramatic shift in the Himalayan nation’s political landscape. The party, led by 35-year-aged Balendra Shah, known popularly as “Balen,” secured 182 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives, according to official results released by the Election Commission on Thursday.
Of those seats, 117 were won directly, with an additional 57 secured through proportional representation. The Nepali Congress party finished second with 38 seats, although the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), led by veteran politician Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, won just 25 seats.
Youth-Led Uprising Fuels Political Change
Shah’s victory over the 74-year-old Oli in his own constituency underscores the significant political upheaval Nepal has experienced. The results follow a youth-led uprising in September 2025, triggered initially by a government ban on social media. The protests quickly escalated into a broader movement against corruption and economic stagnation, resulting in at least 77 deaths .
Shah, a former civil engineer and hip-hop artist, emerged as a prominent figure during the unrest. His song, “Nepal Haseko” (Nepal Smiling), garnered over 10 million views on YouTube during the protests, resonating with the grievances of the younger generation .
From Mayor to Potential Prime Minister
Shah’s political ascent has been rapid. He was elected as Kathmandu’s first independent mayor in 2022 before founding the RSP the same year. His path reflects a generational shift in Nepal, where over 40 percent of the nearly 30 million population is under 35, yet political leadership has historically been dominated by older generations .
“This victory is a signal that we will not capture the easy way out, and it is a reckoning with the problems and betrayals that have affected the country,” Shah stated following the election results.
Campaign and International Reaction
The RSP ran a well-organized campaign, supported by funding from the Nepali diaspora, particularly from communities in the United States. Nepalese journalist Pranaya Rana described Shah as embodying “the outsider spirit that many young Nepalis are looking for to shake up the status quo” .
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the election as a “proud moment” in Nepal’s democratic journey, pledging continued cooperation with the incoming government.
Next Steps
Under Nepal’s constitutional process, parties must now submit names for proportionally allocated seats before parliament is formally convened by the president. The confirmation of a new prime minister, requiring the support of at least half of all members of parliament, is not expected for several days .