From rapper to reformer: Balen Shah poised to become Nepal’s next prime minister

As vote counting continues in Nepal’s general elections, former rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah — widely known as Balen Shah — is emerging as the frontrunner to become the country’s next prime minister, marking what could be one of the most dramatic political shifts in the Himalayan nation in decades.

A Maithili-speaking leader who rose to prominence as an anti-establishment figure, Shah’s ascent represents a potential break from Nepal’s traditional political elite dominated by older leaders from hill-origin communities.

Campaign rooted in Madhesh identity

Launching his prime ministerial campaign with the words “Sarvapratham, Mata Janaki ke pranaam,” Shah chose to address supporters in Maithili — a language widely spoken across Nepal’s southern plains and India’s Mithila region.

The campaign itself began not in the capital Kathmandu but in Janakpur, the capital of Madhesh province and revered as the birthplace of Goddess Sita, also known as Janaki.

For Nepal’s politics, where national leaders typically address crowds in Nepali, Shah’s decision to speak in Maithili carried strong symbolic significance. The language is among the most widely spoken in Nepal, particularly in the Terai belt bordering India.

Election surge against political heavyweights

According to emerging trends, Shah’s party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), is leading in more than 100 of the 275 seats in Nepal’s House of Representatives.

Shah himself is contesting from Jhapa-5, where he is leading against veteran leader and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).

The contest pits a political newcomer against some of the most established figures in Nepal’s political landscape, with as many as six former prime ministers in the electoral fray.

Shah’s emergence as a national contender gained momentum after youth-led protests swept Nepal last year over a controversial social media ban, amplifying public frustration with the country’s entrenched political class.

A potential breakthrough for Madhesi representation

If Shah ultimately secures the top post, it could mark a watershed moment for Nepal’s Madhesi community.

Madhesis, who live predominantly in Nepal’s southern plains bordering India, make up roughly one-third of the country’s population. The community has historically demanded greater political and bureaucratic representation through movements such as the Madhesi Andolan.

Shah’s family traces its roots to Mahottari district in Madhesh Province, although he was born in Kathmandu on April 27, 1990. His rise would also represent a generational shift, with the 35-year-old millennial challenging a political class largely dominated by leaders in their sixties and seventies.

The rapper who challenged the establishment

Before entering politics, Shah built a following as a hip-hop artist performing under the stage name “Balen”. His music often criticized corruption, poor governance, and urban decay — themes that resonated strongly with Nepal’s younger generation.

In 2022, Shah stunned Nepal’s political establishment by winning the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate, defeating nominees from major parties including the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).

His victory turned him into a symbol of anti-establishment politics and youth-driven change.

Transforming Kathmandu as mayor

During his tenure as mayor of Kathmandu, Shah pursued a series of administrative reforms aimed at tackling the capital’s chronic civic problems.

His administration prioritized waste management, coordinating with private companies and government agencies to clear long-standing garbage backlogs. Traffic management measures were strengthened, illegal encroachments on public land were cleared, and outdated public pathways were replaced with standardized infrastructure.

Shah also initiated efforts to restore heritage sites and expand public parks, contributing to a cleaner and more organized city. However, his aggressive approach — including demolitions of illegal structures and eviction of squatters along riverbanks — drew criticism from some quarters.

Youth-driven politics

Shah resigned as mayor earlier this year to join the Rastriya Swatantra Party and contest the national elections.

Under an agreement with party chief Rabi Lamichhane, Shah became the party’s prime ministerial candidate while Lamichhane retained organizational leadership.

His campaign has focused heavily on youth empowerment, anti-corruption measures, and strengthening Nepal’s federal structure — issues that have resonated with Gen Z and millennial voters frustrated by slow reforms and persistent corruption.

If the election results hold, Shah’s rise from rapper to reformist mayor and now potential prime minister could signal the arrival of a new political era in Nepal — one driven by younger leaders and demands for systemic change.