Nepal s rapper-mayor Balendra Shah poised to become prime minister

After a youth-led uprising in Nepal last September claimed 77 lives and led to the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, known as Balen, shared a brief message with millions on social media. He wrote, "Dear Gen Z, the resignation of your killer has come. Now your generation will have to lead the country. Be prepared." Five months later, the 35-year-old, who became the mayor of Kathmandu in 2022, is set to be Nepal’s next prime minister after the first election since the uprising. Early trends from the election commission on Friday show Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in the lead for about 100 seats, well ahead of its closest rivals. The final results, which will include 165 seats chosen by direct vote and 110 through proportional representation, are expected soon. The Nepali Congress, currently in second place, has already admitted defeat, and experts believe the RSP’s strong performance means it will likely form the next government. Bipin Adhikari, a constitutional law expert at Kathmandu University, noted, "Balen Shah is so popular that now buses coming to Kathmandu have stickers on them saying, ‘Headed to Balen’s city’." If Shah takes office, it would mark a significant rise for a man who gained fame with rap music that criticized the government and used that popularity to reach a high political role. This could also change the political landscape of Nepal, a small Himalayan country located between China and India, which has long been ruled by a few established parties.