Rapper Expected to Be Nepal’s Next Prime Minister

Kathmandu, Nepal —(Map)

Balendra Shah, a well-known rapper in Nepal, is expected to become the country’s next prime minister. Mr. Shah, who’s also known as Balen, leads the political party that won the most seats in last Thursday’s election. His victory is seen as a huge change in Nepal’s politics.

Mr. Shah is 35 and used to work as an engineer. He’s also a rapper and became well-known for his songs focusing on problems like poverty and corruption. In 2022, he ran for mayor of Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. He didn’t have much political experience, but he still managed to win.

As mayor, he worked hard to clean up the city. He made some big changes, but he didn’t always do his job in the way people were used to.

In September of last year, there were large protests in Nepal. Young “Gen Z” protesters – people born between 1997 and 2012 – were especially upset. The protesters were angry about a ban on social media.  They were also concerned about government corruption, and felt there weren’t many opportunities in the country for young people.

Mr. Shaw, who is very popular on social media, was seen as a leader of these protests.

The government responded to the protests with deadly force. The situation soon got worse, with more protests and people setting buildings on fire. In the end, about 70 people were killed, and the government was forced to step down.

In September of last year, there were large protests in Nepal. Young “Gen Z” protesters were especially upset. They were angry about a ban on social media and about government corruption. Above, a protester in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, last September.

Many young people thought then that Mr. Shah should become the temporary leader of the country. But Mr. Shah decided to wait and run for parliament in the country’s planned elections.

Mr. Shah leads a political party called the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The RSP was created just three years ago. But in the election, the RSP won 122 out of 165 seats, and may still win a few more. That’s the biggest majority in the history of Nepal’s government.

In the election, Mr. Shah ran against KP Sharma Oli, who has been Nepal’s prime minister four times. Mr. Shah easily beat Mr. Oli, taking more than 75% of the votes. Many people see Mr. Shah’s win as a sign that Nepal’s young people are ready to take control.

Mr. Shah’s political party won 122 out of 165 seats, and may still win a few more. Mr. Shah easily beat the old prime minister. Above, Mr. Shah shows a victory sign on Saturday after getting an official certificate saying that he won.

But Mr. Shah and his party face challenges. They will have to work hard to meet the high hopes of the people who voted for them. Mr. Shah has promised to investigate corruption in the government. He has also said he will look into the actions of Mr. Oli’s government during last year’s protests.

Mr. Shah’s party has a strong majority in the Parliament’s lower house of Nepal’s Parliament. But it doesn’t have any seats in the upper house. That will make it more difficult for the party to pass new laws. Some people believe that for Mr. Shah to become a successful leader, he may need to become more patient and learn to work with others in the government.

Still, many people are excited about the change. Aditya Karna, who supports Mr. Shah, said that people in Nepal expect that “Balen will lead the country toward a better future.”