From Rapper to Possible Prime Minister: Balen Shah Leads Nepal Election Landslide
Leh, Ladakh | 8 March 2026
In a dramatic political shift in Nepal, rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, popularly known as “Balen,” and his party Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) are heading toward a landslide victory in the country’s parliamentary elections, according to official trends released by the Election Commission of Nepal.
The 35-year-old Shah defeated veteran leader and four-time Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli in his constituency by a huge margin, securing nearly four times more votes than his opponent. The victory marks one of the most surprising political upsets in recent Nepali history.
Nepal’s elections were held to choose a 275-member House of Representatives, with 165 members elected directly and 110 seats allocated through proportional representation. Early results show the RSP winning around 60 directly elected seats and leading in more than 60 other constituencies, placing the party in a strong position to form the next government.
This election comes after the youth-led protests in 2025, which forced the previous government from power and triggered widespread calls for political reform. Shah’s campaign focused on improving education, healthcare, and fighting corruption, issues that resonated strongly with younger voters.
A trained civil engineer and former rapper, Shah first gained national attention through his music criticizing corruption and inequality. He previously shocked Nepal’s political establishment by winning the Kathmandu mayoral election in 2022 as an independent candidate.
Political analysts say Shah represents a new generation of leadership in Nepal. With more than 40 percent of the country’s population under the age of 35, many young voters supported his promise of change and reform in the nation’s political system.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of Nepal for the successful and peaceful conduct of the elections and expressed India’s willingness to work closely with the new government to strengthen regional cooperation and development.
If the final results confirm the current trends, Balen Shah could soon become Nepal’s next Prime Minister, marking a historic moment in the country’s politics and signaling a major shift away from traditional political parties.
— LADAKH N E W S
