Ask Onix
Shah wins parliamentary seat from former PM Oli
Nepal's Election Commission confirmed on Saturday that rapper Balendra Shah, 35, secured 68,348 votes in Kathmandu, defeating former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who received 18,734 votes. The victory marks a major shift in Nepal's political landscape.
Election follows youth-led protests
Thursday's general election was the first since September's violent demonstrations, which toppled the previous government. The unrest, driven by Gen Z protesters, erupted after Oli's administration banned social media platforms. At least 77 people were killed during the clashes, with a BBC investigation revealing police used lethal force against unarmed crowds.
Shah, a prominent hip-hop artist known as Balen, publicly supported the protesters and labeled Oli a "terrorist" for his handling of the crisis.
RSP poised for landslide victory
Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is leading in both directly elected seats and proportional representation, according to partial results. If trends hold, the party could secure a majority, ending decades of dominance by Nepal's established political factions.
The election tested whether Gen Z voters-including 800,000 first-time participants-could sway the country toward new leadership or if veteran politicians would retain power.
Shah's economic promises resonate with voters
The RSP's February manifesto pledged to create 1.2 million jobs, reduce forced migration, and double Nepal's GDP to $100 billion within five years. The party also vowed to raise per capita income from $1,447 to $3,000 and introduce universal healthcare insurance.
"I will be the candidate for all of Nepal,"
Shah told the Financial Times during his campaign.
From hip-hop to politics
Shah gained fame in Nepal's music scene with his song "Balidan," which amassed millions of views on YouTube. His transition from artist to politician reflects broader discontent with the country's political elite, often criticized for nepotism and inequality.
Analysts say his victory signals a generational shift, with young voters rejecting traditional parties in favor of untested leaders promising change.
