Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, widely known as Balen, has defeated former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in his parliamentary constituency, moving a step closer to becoming the country’s next prime minister.
Nepal’s Election Commission confirmed that Shah, 35, secured 68,348 votes, far ahead of Oli’s 18,734, delivering a stunning defeat to one of the country’s most powerful political figures.
The result comes from Nepal’s general election held on March 5, the first national poll since youth-led protests in September 2025 forced the government from power.
Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) appears to be on course for a major victory. Partial official results show the party leading in a majority of directly elected seats, suggesting it could secure a landslide win. Shah is also ahead in the proportional representation vote count, according to the election commission.
If the trend continues, the rapper-turned-leader could soon emerge as Nepal’s next prime minister.
The election was widely seen as a battle between the political establishment and a new generation of leaders appealing to younger voters demanding change.
For more than two decades, Nepal’s politics has been dominated by three major parties, including two communist groups, leading to frequent coalition governments and political instability.
Young voters played a decisive role in this election.
Around 8,00,000 voters cast ballots for the first time
Youth anger over unemployment and corruption shaped campaign narratives
Many backed Shah as a symbol of political change
Before entering politics, Shah was a prominent figure in Nepal’s hip hop music scene.
His Nepali-language song “Balidan”, which focuses on sacrifice and social justice, has garnered millions of views on YouTube, helping him build a large following among young audiences.
Shah has largely avoided mainstream media during the campaign but told the Financial Times that he wanted to be “the candidate for all of Nepal”.
Nepal’s political landscape shifted dramatically after mass protests erupted in September 2025.
The demonstrations were triggered by the government’s decision to ban social media platforms, a move widely criticised by young Nepalis.
The protests soon expanded into a broader movement against:
political corruption
inequality and elite privilege
so-called “nepo babies” — children of powerful political families
Violence during the unrest left 77 people dead. A later investigation reported that police had been ordered to use lethal force against unarmed protesters.
Shah openly supported the demonstrators and sharply criticised Oli during the crisis, at one point calling him a “terrorist” who had betrayed the country.
In its manifesto released in February, Shah’s RSP promised sweeping economic reforms aimed at addressing unemployment and outward migration.
Key promises include:
creating 1.2 million jobs
reducing forced migration of workers overseas
raising per capita income from $1,447 to $3,000 within five years
expanding Nepal’s economy to $100 billion GDP
introducing social protection measures such as health insurance coverage
With counting still under way, the final outcome will determine whether Nepal’s political future is about to be shaped by a 35-year-old rapper backed by Gen Z voters.
