Balen Shah, the former Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, has made history in Nepal’s parliamentary elections by defeating former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli in the latter’s traditional stronghold of Jhapa-5. With a remarkable margin of 49,614 votes, Shah secured 68,348 votes against Oli’s 18,734, marking the highest number of votes any candidate has won in Nepal’s House of Representatives elections since 1991.
Representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), a political party formed by former media personality Rabi Lamichhane, Shah’s victory underscores the rising influence of new-generation politicians challenging Nepal’s traditional political landscape. The RSP, which has already emerged as a dominant force this election season, is now poised to reshape the political dynamics under the First-Past-the-Post system.
Shah’s journey from rapper to politician is emblematic of a transformative wave sweeping Nepalese politics. Born on April 27, 1990, in Kathmandu to a Madhesi family, Shah pursued a master’s degree in structural engineering in India, equipping him with a practical understanding of infrastructure and urban development that he later applied as Kathmandu’s mayor.
Before entering politics, Shah earned recognition in Nepal’s underground hip-hop scene for his socially conscious lyrics that highlighted societal inequities. His song ‘Balidan’, a critique of the divide between the privileged and marginalised, resonated with the youth and established him as a voice for Nepal’s younger generation.
Shah’s independent mayoral campaign in 2022 marked his formal entry into politics. His tenure focused on urban reforms, including waste management, regulation of illegal structures, transparency in municipal operations, and the preservation of Kathmandu’s cultural heritage. Known for his direct and confrontational approach toward bureaucratic inefficiencies, Shah cultivated a reputation as a political reformer and a rebel challenging traditional party politics.
The recent elections followed a period of significant political unrest, including the fall of Oli’s government amid nationwide protests that resulted in the tragic loss of life and economic damage. In this climate of change, Shah’s alignment with Lamichhane and the RSP proved a strategic masterstroke, uniting reformist voices under a single platform and attracting unprecedented youth support.
Shah’s historic win in Jhapa-5 reflects a broader generational shift in Nepalese politics, signalling a rising demand for transparency, accountability, and dynamic leadership. As the country looks toward a new parliamentary session, Shah’s ascent represents hope for a youth-driven political transformation that could redefine Nepal’s governance landscape for years to come.
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Image courtesy: X/@ShahBalen
–IANS
