Gen Z Leader Balen Shah Rises to Power in Nepal

Kathmandu: Rapper and former Kathmandu Mayor, Balen Shah, has risen to prominence in Nepali politics. As the vote counting for the general elections held on March 5 progresses, the Rashtriya Swatantrata Party (RSP), led by Balen Shah, is consolidating power. This is the first general election since the Gen Z protests, and the youth-led RSP, including Balen Shah, won a large majority. Their political party secured all 10 constituencies in the capital, Kathmandu.

Balen Shah also made a historic victory in Jhapa 5, a stronghold of former Prime Minister Sharma Oli. Balen garnered 42,543 votes, while Oli received only 11,427 votes. This marks the return of a single party to power after 27 years.

Out of the 165 direct seats, RSP has won 41, continuing to maintain a clear lead in around 80 other seats. A majority in the 275-member parliament requires 138 seats, and preliminary assessments suggest that the party is on track to achieve this on its own. The Election Commission has stated that the full results are expected to be announced by tonight.

In September of last year, the "Gen Z" protests against corruption and the ban on social media, led by the youth of Nepal, paved the way for political change. Over the past 18 years, Nepal has seen 14 changes in government, and the key question now is whether political instability will finally come to an end.

Balen Shah, a 35-year-old structural engineer by profession, rose to political prominence after being elected Mayor of Kathmandu in 2022 as an independent candidate. His anti-corruption stance and commitment to administrative reforms have made him a beloved figure among the youth. Additionally, Balen, who is also a rapper and poet, is known for his bold lyrics that often express the anger of the youth. Lines such as "My mind is pure, and I am not afraid to speak the truth..." have gained immense popularity. He has a massive following on social media, with 1 million supporters on Instagram, 3.5 million on Facebook, and a viral video from 2019, Balidan, which garnered over 10 million views. His wife, Sabina Kafle, is also an active poet. Balen was listed in Time Magazine's Top 100 Young Leaders.