Rapper-Turned-Politician Leads Nepal in Gen Z-Backed Landslide Victory
Rapper-Turned-Politician Leads Nepal in Gen Z-Backed Landslide Victory
Balendra Shah and his Rastriya Swatantra Party surge to a dominant showing as Nepal opts for a youth-forward government.
Nepal’s parliamentary race is underway, with a youth-fueled wave lifting Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-mayor of Kathmandu, and his Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) toward a landslide victory. Shah has emerged as a Gen Z favorite, riding social media momentum from anti-government protests into national leadership.
Early results show the RSP leading in more than 100 seats out of 165 decided through the first-past-the-post system. Of the 275 seats up for grabs, 165 are decided by FPTP, with the remaining allocated via proportional representation.
Shah has centered his campaign on healthcare and education for poorer Nepalis, promising centrist, reform-minded governance and a break from traditional parties that dominated politics for years.
Despite the RSP surge, Nepal’s two major parties are still in the mix: the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) appears ahead in nine seats, while the Nepali Congress leads in 12. Shah is also leading former Prime Minister Oli in Oli’s home constituency of Jhapa 5, near the Indian border.
Observers say it’s high time the former mayor evolved and grew—becoming more mature, diplomatic, and friendly with journalists, opponents and, most importantly, friendly neighbours like India and China.
