Nepal Swears in Rapper-turned-Politician Balendra Shah as Prime Minister

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah has been sworn in as Nepal’s prime minister after a landslide victory with the Rastriya Swatantra Party. Known for his anti-corruption rap songs and reformist agenda, Shah unseated entrenched political elites, including ex-PM KP Sharma Oli, and now faces major challenges including economic issues, unemployment, and implementing recommendations from last year’s deadly protests.

Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician, has been sworn in as Nepal’s prime minister following a landslide victory in the country’s first election since last year’s youth-led protests. Shah, popularly known as Balen, rose to prominence as an underground rapper critiquing corruption and social inequality, later winning Kathmandu’s mayoral race in 2022 as an independent candidate.
Shah teamed up with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) as its prime ministerial candidate, securing a decisive win in the 5 March general elections. His campaign focused on anti-corruption measures, judiciary reforms, and job creation, resonating strongly with younger voters frustrated with Nepal’s entrenched political elite. Shah even unseated former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in the Jhapa 5 constituency, a long-standing stronghold.
As mayor of Kathmandu, Shah gained attention for efforts to clean up the city, preserve heritage, and crack down on illegal buildings and unlicensed businesses, though his tactics drew criticism from street vendors and human rights groups. Human Rights Watch highlighted concerns over the use of police against vendors and urged a focus on rules-based governance as Shah assumes the premiership.
Shah’s unconventional style—avoiding traditional media and campaigning largely through social media and music—has made him a symbol of change in Nepali politics. His popular songs, including Balidan and Nepal Haseko, were adopted as anthems during last year’s protests, reflecting public frustration over corruption, unemployment, and economic stagnation.
Now as prime minister, Shah and the RSP face significant challenges, including addressing domestic economic issues, supporting millions of Nepalis working abroad amid the Middle East conflict, and managing voter expectations. They will also need to decide how to implement recommendations from a recent investigation into the deadly 2025 protests that toppled the previous government, which suggested prosecuting ex-prime minister Oli.
Shah’s rise marks a major shift in Nepalese politics, signaling the growing influence of youth-led movements and a desire for new leadership outside traditional party structures, while also testing the RSP’s capacity to govern effectively.