Balendra Shah, the rapper turned politician who became a figurehead of Nepal's Gen Z revolution, is set to become the country's next prime minister after his party secured a landslide victory in the first election since youth-led protests toppled the previous government.
Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won at least 122 out of 165 direct seats, with three more leading, putting it on course for the biggest electoral majority since Nepal became a democracy. The party, formed only three years ago, capitalised on public anger at the political old guard, with veteran parties losing vast numbers of seats.
The 35-year-old Shah, an engineer by training, rose to fame as a rapper whose tracks criticised poverty, unemployment and corruption. In 2022, he was elected mayor of Kathmandu as an independent, where he focused on cleaning up the city. His national prominence grew after the September 2024 youth uprising, which left 70 dead and forced the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Shah defeated Oli in the Jhapa-5 constituency by a margin of 68,348 votes to 18,724. Oli conceded defeat, wishing Shah an 'uninterrupted five-year term'. Shah, accepting his certificate of election, said: 'Congratulations to all of you, this is your victory.'
Gen Z leaders hailed the result as justice for protesters killed during the uprising. Bhawana Raut, a movement leader, said it sent a clear message that governments must be accountable. Final results, including proportional representation seats, are expected in the coming days.
