Rapper Balendra Shah Poised to Become Nepal's Prime Minister After Defeating Ex-PM Oli

Rapper and politician Balendra Shah has emerged victorious over former Nepalese Prime Minister Sharma KP Oli in a significant parliamentary contest, marking a pivotal moment in Nepal's political landscape. The Election Commission of Nepal confirmed that Shah, aged 35, secured 68,348 votes compared to Oli's 18,734, effectively unseating the former leader in his constituency. This victory is a crucial step towards Shah potentially becoming Nepal's next prime minister.

The recent general election, held on Thursday, was the first since the government was overthrown by youth-led protests in September. It symbolized a clash between the entrenched political establishment and a new wave of politicians appealing to the younger generation, particularly Gen Z voters, who are eager for change. Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) appears to be on track to win the general election, with a majority in the directly elected seats counted so far. Partial official results suggest the party may achieve a landslide victory, and Shah is also leading in the proportional representation vote count.

For over two decades, Nepal has experienced a series of coalition governments dominated by three major parties, two of which are communist. This election was seen as a test of whether the younger generation could persuade the broader population to embrace a new, untested leadership or if the long-standing political figures would maintain their grip on power. The youth, including 800,000 first-time voters, played a crucial role in this election.

Shah, popularly known as Balen, is a prominent figure in the Nepali hip hop scene. His song "Balidan," which discusses sacrifice, has garnered millions of views on YouTube. The September 2025 unrest in Nepal, sparked by Oli's ban on social media platforms, led to Gen Z demonstrations criticizing the political system and class inequality. The protests resulted in 77 deaths, and a BBC investigation revealed that the police chief had authorized lethal force against unarmed protesters. Shah supported the protesters and labeled Oli a "terrorist" for betraying the country.

Despite typically avoiding the media, Shah expressed to the Financial Times during his campaign that he aimed to represent all of Nepal. In February, his party released a manifesto promising to create 1.2 million jobs and reduce forced migration, addressing frustrations over unemployment and low wages that have driven many Nepalis to seek opportunities abroad. The RSP also pledged to double Nepal's per capita income to $3,000, expand the economy to a $100 billion GDP, and provide safety nets like healthcare insurance within five years.