Kathmandu, Mar 7 (Daijiworld Media Network): Former rapper and Kathmandu mayor Balen Shah emerges as a frontrunner for Nepal’s prime ministership, energising a new generation and challenging decades-old political dominance.
Kathmandu: Nepal’s political landscape may be on the verge of a dramatic transformation as Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen Shah, has emerged as a leading contender for the country’s prime ministership following the latest general election trends.
In a striking break from tradition, Shah launched his prime ministerial campaign with the words, “Sarvapratham, Mata Janaki ke pranaam,” paying tribute to Goddess Sita. The speech was delivered in Maithili, a language widely spoken in Nepal’s Madhesh region and India’s Mithila belt of Bihar and Jharkhand.
Notably, the campaign began not in Kathmandu or the hill regions, but in Janakpur — the capital of Madhesh Province and believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita. It marked a rare moment in Nepali politics, as few prime ministerial candidates have delivered their first major political speech in Maithili, the country’s second most widely spoken language.
As counting continues from Nepal’s general elections held on Friday, Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is reportedly leading in more than 100 of the 275 seats in the House of Representatives. Shah himself is maintaining a strong lead in the Jhapa-5 constituency against veteran leader and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML).
The election battle saw Shah and his party contesting against several seasoned leaders, including multiple former prime ministers. Yet the political newcomer appears to have outpaced many established figures, positioning himself as a powerful symbol of political change.
Born on April 27, 1990, in Naradevi, Kathmandu, the 35-year-old Shah represents a generational shift in a country long dominated by leaders in their 60s and 70s.
His family originally hails from Mahottari district in Madhesh Province before relocating to Kathmandu. Shah is associated with the Madhesi community, which represents roughly one-third of Nepal’s population and inhabits the southern plains bordering India.
The Madhesi people primarily speak Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Hindi, reflecting strong cultural ties with India, particularly the neighbouring state of Bihar. Historically, the community has campaigned for greater political and administrative representation through movements such as the Madhesi Andolan.
Political analysts say the possibility of a Madhesi prime minister would mark a significant moment in Nepal’s democratic journey.
Before entering politics, Shah gained national attention as a rapper, using hip-hop music to highlight social issues, corruption and governance failures. His songs resonated strongly with urban youth.
In 2022, he shocked the political establishment by winning the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate, defeating nominees from major parties including the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML.
During his tenure as mayor, Shah gained popularity for taking bold administrative decisions. His initiatives focused on tackling Kathmandu’s chronic waste management crisis, clearing illegal encroachments on public land, improving traffic management, and restoring heritage sites.
His administration also developed public parks and upgraded pedestrian pathways in the capital. While some of his actions — particularly demolition drives against illegal structures — drew criticism for being aggressive, many supporters viewed them as necessary steps to bring discipline to the city.
Shah resigned as mayor on January 18 to join the Rastriya Swatantra Party and contest the national elections. Under an agreement with party chairman Rabi Lamichhane, Shah was projected as the party’s prime ministerial candidate.
His campaign has centred on youth empowerment, anti-corruption measures, transparent governance and strengthening Nepal’s federal system — themes that have strongly resonated with Gen Z and millennial voters frustrated with traditional politics.
His decision to address voters in Maithili during a rally in Janakpur also struck a cultural chord with residents of the Madhesh region, reaffirming his commitment to provincial identity and federalism.
If current trends hold, Balen Shah’s rise from hip-hop artist to potential prime minister could mark one of the most remarkable political journeys in South Asia — and possibly signal the arrival of a new, youth-driven era in Nepal’s politics.