Voters in Nepal went to the polls on Thursday to elect a new government in the country’s first election since a youth-led uprising forced the fall of the administration of former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in September last year.
Among the prominent contenders is Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician widely known as ‘Balen’. He is a member of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and previously served as mayor of Kathmandu for three years.
Shah first rose to fame through rap music that criticised corruption and social inequality, gaining a strong following among young voters. His popularity helped him win the Kathmandu mayoral election in 2022 as the city’s first independent mayor.
During his tenure, he drew attention for campaigns targeting tax evasion, traffic congestion and poor waste management in the capital.
Shah joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party in December last year, positioning himself as a national political figure. Since then, he has been viewed by many supporters as a symbol of youth-driven political change and a challenge to Nepal’s long-dominant political establishment.
As per reports, Shah’s academic background includes a degree in civil engineering from Himalayan Whitehouse International College in Kathmandu and a postgraduate degree in structural engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University in Karnataka, India. At Kathmandu University, he is presently working towards a PhD in traditional infrastructure.
Shah reportedly caused a stir in November when he posted a strongly worded message on Facebook criticising both domestic political parties and a number of international powers. He wrote in the post: “F*** America, F*** India, F*** China, F*** UML, F*** Congress, F*** RSP, F*** RPP, F*** Maobaadi. You Guys all Combined can do nothing. : )”
Less than 30 minutes later, the post was taken down, allegedly because of his constitutional obligations as mayor of Kathmandu.
It’s interesting to note that Shah joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), one of the political parties he had criticised in the same post, just two months later.
In a closely watched contest, Shah is running directly against Oli in the Jhapa District’s Jhapa-5 constituency, widely regarded as a political stronghold for the former prime minister. Oli has previously won six elections from the seat.
The election is being closely watched as the outcome will determine who will become the next prime minister and shape the country’s political direction after months of upheaval.
Vote counting is expected to begin shortly after polling concludes, with results likely to be announced within 24 hours.
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