3 minutes of readingKathmanduMarch 8, 2026 04:38 am IST
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set to form the next government in Nepal after decimating traditional political parties on Saturday, in the country’s first general election since last year’s Generation Z protests.
RSP’s prime ministerial candidate, rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, defeated four-time prime minister KP Sharma Oli of CPN-UML by about 50,000 votes in Jhapa-5 constituency, the Election Commission said.
In a message on social media, Oli said, “I wish Balen Babu a successful five-year tenure without any hurdles.”
The RSP won 72 of the 90 seats whose results were announced at 9:30 p.m. The counting of votes began on Thursday evening and till 9:30 pm on Saturday, counting was in progress in the rest of the total 165 constituencies, the EC said.
RSP top leaders said they now hope to invite international investors to make the Himalayan nation their destination.
“There will be a very conducive atmosphere for investment in the country as Nepal will now adopt development diplomacy, and it will be guided by mutual interest and a dignified foreign policy, which also means promoting policies to encourage investment in the country,” RSP chief and former deputy prime minister Rabi Lamichhane announced in Chitwan after his election victory.
Elections in Nepal are being closely watched by India, which hopes for a stable government in the politically fragile country to boost development partnership between the two sides.
Story continues below this ad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated the people and government of Nepal for the successful holding of elections. “It is heartening to see my Nepali sisters and brothers exercising their democratic rights in such a vibrant manner. This historic milestone is a proud moment in Nepal’s democratic journey,” he said on
The RSP’s seats include a large majority in all 10 constituencies of Kathmandu district even as it leads with 52 seats, EC data showed. The Nepali Congress won 10 and was ahead in 8; the PCN-(UML) won only 4 and leads in 8; Nepal Communist Party won 2 seats and leads in 5 and Rastriya Prajatantra Party won 1 seat. With PTI
