Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah has emerged victorious over former Nepalese Prime Minister Sharma KP Oli in Oli's parliamentary constituency, marking a significant step toward Shah potentially becoming Nepal's next prime minister.
The official results from Nepal’s Election Commission, announced on Saturday, revealed that the 35-year-old Shah garnered 68,348 votes, significantly outperforming Oli, who received 18,734 votes. This general election, the first since a youth-led movement led to the government's downfall in September, pitted the established political elite against a new wave of politicians appealing to younger voters seeking change.
Partial official results released on Sunday indicate that Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is poised to win the general election, securing a majority of directly elected seats. The election commission also reported that the RSP is leading in the proportional representation vote count.
Nepal has experienced over two decades of unstable coalition governments, predominantly led by three main parties, two of which are communist. This election served as a test to determine whether the burgeoning Gen Z electorate could propel a new generation into power or if veteran politicians would retain their influence. With approximately 800,000 first-time voters, the youth demographic played a crucial role in shaping the electoral outcomes.
Known widely as Balen, Shah has been a prominent figure in Nepal's hip hop community for years. His song "Balidan," which addresses the theme of sacrifice in Nepal, has achieved millions of views on YouTube. Shah had previously expressed solidarity with protesters during the September 2025 unrest, which was ignited by Oli's imposition of social media restrictions. These demonstrations highlighted issues of political corruption and class disparity, including the prevalence of "nepo babies," and unfortunately resulted in 77 fatalities. A BBC investigation later brought to light directives for the use of lethal force against unarmed protesters. Shah himself had previously characterized Oli as a "terrorist" who had betrayed the nation.
Despite his general aversion to the media, Shah conveyed to the Financial Times during his campaign that he intended to be "the candidate for all of Nepal." The RSP's manifesto, unveiled in February, outlines ambitious goals such as generating 1.2 million jobs, reducing involuntary emigration, and doubling the per capita income from $1,447 to $3,000 within five years, aiming to elevate the national economy to a $100 billion GDP. The party also committed to providing essential healthcare and social safety nets for the populace.
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