The former rapper is on course to win Nepal’s first election since youth-driven protests toppled the current political leadership last year.
Balendra Shah, the rapper-turned-politician who won the Kathmandu mayoral race in 2022, has emerged as Nepal’s next prime minister.
The Rashtriya Swatantra (RSP) or Rashtriya Swatantra Party, which he leads, has already won 117 of the 165 directly elected seats and is leading in eight other constituencies, the results announced on Sunday morning showed.
Mr Shah emerged as a key figure in the 2025 uprising, protests led by General Z Deposed former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli.
Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah. Image: Reuters
The engineering graduate has been prominent in Nepal’s hip hop scene for several years, performing under the name Balen.
One of his songs, “Balidan”, which means sacrifice in Nepali – sees Mr Shah take on the country’s upper class and has drawn more than 12 million views on YouTube.
Mr. Shah is performing his song “Balidan” under the name Balen in a 2019 music video.
Mr Shah is campaigning on promises to raise Nepal’s per capita income, double the country’s economy to $100bn GDP and create jobs.
Election results suggest his message resonated with voters in Nepal, where 20% of the population of 30 million live in poverty.
Mr. Shah receives his victory certificate. Image: AP
Other political parties and independent candidates have won a total of 36 seats so far.
In Nepal, voters directly elect 165 members to the House of Representatives, and the remaining 110 seats in the 275-member body are allocated through a proportional representation system.
Mr. Shah’s party leads the tally with about 51% of the 110 seats.
Voters fill out two ballot papers, one to choose a candidate nominated by a political party and another to choose a party of their choice.
The counting of votes is still going on and the final results are expected later in the week.
Image: PA
The relatively new RSP has ousted two powerful parties, the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal, who have alternated terms in government.
RSP supporters have been celebrating the election victory publicly, offering flower garlands, bouquets and scarves to the winner and applying red vermilion powder.
“The future prime minister has clearly said that there is no compromise on the development of the country,” said RSP party member and volunteer Khagendra Chapagain.
“Our first agenda is to develop the nation and work towards health, education and the fight against corruption.”
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Party officials have asked their candidates and supporters to refrain from victory rallies or other public celebrations. Last year’s protests.
Demonstrations against corruption and poor governance were sparked by a social media ban, which snowballed into a coup that ended in Mr Oli’s resignation.
An estimated 77 people were killed and hundreds injured in the protests.
Supporters of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party celebrated. Image: AP
Analysts said the party would have comfortable numbers in parliament to form a one-party government but would face challenges running the government.
“The problem or challenge for this new party is to deliver things given limited resources and limited institutional support,” said Keshab Prasad Paudel, an independent analyst.
“Just because people have high expectations, doesn’t mean the new party will meet them.”
The Himalayan country has struggled with economic uncertainty and political instability, with protests leading to the overthrow of its monarchy in 2008.
