From rap stage to power: Mayor leads Nepal PM race

KATHMANDU, Feb. 25, 2026 — Former rapper and ex-mayor Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, is widely viewed as a leading candidate to become the next prime minister of Nepal ahead of the country’s general election scheduled for March 5, 2026. Balendra Shah, former mayor of Kathmandu popularly known as "Balen", who according to party officials, will become prime minister under an internal agreement if the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) wins the March 5 elections, shakes hand with Rabi Lamichhane, president of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) during an election campaign in Janakpur, Nepal,

KATHMANDU, Feb. 25, 2026 — Former rapper and ex-mayor Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, is widely viewed as a leading candidate to become the next prime minister of Nepal ahead of the country’s general election scheduled for March 5, 2026.

Balendra Shah, former mayor of Kathmandu popularly known as "Balen", who according to party officials, will become prime minister under an internal agreement if the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) wins the March 5 elections, shakes hand with Rabi Lamichhane, president of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) during an election campaign in Janakpur, Nepal,

The 35-year-old political newcomer rose to prominence after winning the 2022 mayoral race in Kathmand, campaigning on transparency, anti-corruption reforms, and urban modernization. Shah resigned from the mayoral post in January 2026 to contest national elections under the banner of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which has nominated him as its prime-ministerial candidate. Shah’s ascent follows a turbulent political period marked by youth-led protests in mid-2025 that triggered the resignation of former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli and intensified public demand for generational leadership change. Analysts say Shah’s outsider image, combined with his popularity among young voters and strong social-media presence, has reshaped the electoral landscape. A civil engineer by training, Shah first gained national recognition through Nepal’s hip-hop scene, where his music often criticized political corruption and social inequality. His transition into politics has been framed by supporters as a symbol of reform, while critics question his limited experience at the national level. Despite the absence of reliable opinion polls, political observers suggest Shah is in a favorable position as traditional parties struggle with declining public trust. The March 5 vote is expected to be closely contested, with coalition dynamics likely determining whether the rapper-turned-politician ultimately secures Nepal’s top office.