Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah has defeated former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in his parliamentary constituency, bringing him closer to becoming Nepal’s next prime minister.
According to Nepal’s Election Commission, the 35-year-old Shah secured 68,348 votes, while Oli received 18,734 votes.
The election comes after youth-led protests earlier forced the government to step down, with many young voters demanding political change. Shah’s party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), is now emerging as a strong contender in the general election.
Balendra Shah Gains Momentum in Nepal Election
Balendra Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is leading in the general election as vote counting continues. Partial official results show the party holding a majority of directly elected seats so far, raising the possibility of a major victory. Shah is also ahead in the proportional representation vote count, according to Nepal’s Election Commission.
Nepal’s politics has long been dominated by coalition governments led by a few major parties. However, this election is being seen as a turning point, with many young voters pushing for a new generation of leadership.
Around 800,000 first-time voters participated in the election, making the youth vote especially influential.
Shah, widely known as Balen, first gained popularity as a rapper in Nepal’s hip-hop scene. His song “Balidan”, which speaks about sacrifice, has gained millions of views on YouTube.
Political tensions in the country escalated in September 2025, when Gen Z protests erupted after the government banned social media platforms. Demonstrators criticized political elites and rising inequality. The unrest turned violent, leaving 77 people dead, according to reports.
During the protests, Shah openly supported the demonstrators and strongly criticized the government.
Earlier this year, his party released a manifesto promising 1.2 million new jobs, higher incomes, and social protections such as healthcare insurance. The party also aims to double Nepal’s GDP to $100 billion and raise per-capita income to $3,000 within five years.
