Nepal’s Balendra Shah Wins Landslide, Set to Become Prime Minister

Nepal’s reformist politician Balendra Shah and his Rastriya Swatantra Party won a landslide in parliamentary elections, securing 182 of 275 seats and paving the way for Shah, a former rapper and Kathmandu mayor, to become prime minister. The result marks a generational political shift, with young voters driving demand for reform, accountability, and an end to corruption that toppled the previous administration.

Nepal's Election Commission on Friday officially confirmed a landslide victory for reformist politician Balendra Shah and his Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in the country’s parliamentary elections. The result represents a major political shift in the Himalayan nation, with Shah — who until recently served as mayor of the capital, Kathmandu — being widely regarded as a symbol of generational change and a new wave of leadership.
According to the commission, Shah’s centrist RSP won 182 of the 275 seats in the lower house, securing an outright majority and paving the way for the 35-year-old former rapper to assume the office of prime minister. The outcome reflects broad support for Shah’s platform of political reform, transparency, and generational renewal.
The center-left Nepali Congress, which had previously held the largest share of seats in parliament, finished a distant second with just 38 seats. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist, led by former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, won 25 seats. Notably, Shah defeated the 74-year-old Oli in his own constituency, underscoring the extent of the political upheaval.
The election comes six months after mass protests forced Oli from office. The demonstrations, driven largely by young Gen Z activists protesting corruption and economic hardship, escalated into violence when security forces opened fire, resulting in more than 70 deaths and the destruction of several government buildings. Under mounting pressure, Oli resigned, and a caretaker administration led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki took over until the vote.
Shah first gained national prominence in Nepal’s hip-hop scene during the 2010s, with music that highlighted issues such as corruption, inequality, and urban life. His socially conscious songs resonated with younger voters, who have become a powerful force calling for political change. He won the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate four years ago before resigning earlier this year to join the RSP and contest the parliamentary elections.
Looking ahead, Shah’s new government faces significant challenges, including stabilizing Nepal’s struggling economy and addressing longstanding corruption issues that contributed to the collapse of the previous administration. The election outcome reflects both the country’s desire for reform and the increasing influence of a younger generation seeking accountability, transparency, and a departure from traditional political leadership.