Rapper-Turned-Politician Balendra Shah's RSP Sweeps Nepal Elections

The young party led by rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, also known as 'Balen', achieved a stunning victory in Nepal's elections, securing over two-thirds of directly elected seats in the House of Representatives. This upset highlights a backlash against legacy political parties in Nepal.

The Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP), established in 2022, won 122 of 165 seats. Balendra Shah, 35, defeated four-time Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli by a margin of approximately 50,000 votes in the Jhapa-5 constituency. Shah is expected to become Nepal's first Madhesi and youngest prime minister.

Nepal's voter turnout was around 60%, with the election closely monitored by India. With 14 women candidates emerging victorious, the RSP appears to be leading a generational change in Nepal's political landscape.