Rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah and his Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) are set to form the next government in Nepal after securing a decisive victory in the country’s latest general elections. The election marks a major shift in Nepal’s political landscape, with voters turning away from traditional parties in favour of new leadership.
According to the Election Commission of Nepal, the RSP has already secured 18 seats and is leading in 99 constituencies, placing it far ahead of its rivals in the race for power.
Balen Shah Defeats Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli
Balen Shah, widely known as “Balen”, delivered one of the biggest upsets of the election by defeating four-time former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in the Jhapa-5 constituency.
Official data from the Election Commission shows that Balen secured 68,348 votes, while the 74-year-old Oli received 18,734 votes, resulting in a massive victory margin of nearly 50,000 votes.
The result reflects growing public dissatisfaction with long-standing political parties and signals a demand for fresh leadership in the Himalayan nation.
RSP Dominates Early Results
The Rastriya Swatantra Party, founded in 2022 by Ravi Lamichhane, has emerged as the biggest political force in the election.
Election Commission figures indicate that the party has won 107 out of the 138 seats for which results have been declared so far.
The party also achieved a clean sweep across all 15 constituencies in the Kathmandu Valley, highlighting its strong support base in urban areas.
Traditional Parties Suffer Major Losses
Established parties performed significantly weaker in the election.
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The Nepali Congress (NC) has won 15 seats and is leading in three constituencies.
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The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) has secured one seat and is ahead in 11 constituencies.
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The Nepal Communist Party has won two seats and is leading in 10 constituencies.
Political analysts say the results indicate widespread voter frustration with issues such as corruption, nepotism and ineffective governance.
Election Followed Youth-Led Protests
The election comes after the removal of former prime minister KP Sharma Oli following youth-led protests demanding anti-corruption reforms, better governance and generational change in politics.
The protests, driven largely by younger voters and civil society groups, played a significant role in shaping the political mood of the country.
Historic Milestones for Balen Shah
If officially confirmed as prime minister, Balen Shah will become the youngest prime minister in Nepal’s parliamentary history. He will also be the first Madhesi leader to hold the country’s top executive office.
His rise from a rapper and urban activist to a national political leader represents a significant shift in Nepal’s political culture.
Nepal Election Overview
Nepal’s House of Representatives has 275 members. Of these:
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165 members are elected through direct voting, and
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110 members are chosen through proportional representation.
Around 18.9 million voters were eligible to vote in the election, with turnout estimated at approximately 60 percent, according to election officials.
