If you had “rapper becomes Prime Minister” on your 2026 global politics bingo card, congratulations. You can now collect your prize. Balendra Shah, better known to his fans as “Balen,” has not just won a seat in Nepal’s general election; he has essentially dropped a multi-platinum political album that has left the old guard wondering where it all went wrong.
The former Mayor of Kathmandu has taken a massive lead in the polls, putting him on a direct flight to the Prime Minister’s office. He is currently trouncing the seasoned pros, including former PM KP Oli. While Oli is 74 and represents the classic “revolving door” of Nepali politics, Balen is 35, wears signature black sunnies even indoors, and used to spend his time in the “Nephop” scene. It is quite the career pivot.
Counting at a Snail’s Pace
Do not expect the final numbers by tea time. Nepal is famously mountainous, which means ballots often have to hitch a ride on helicopters from remote villages. In the 2022 election, it took two weeks to get the final tally.
However, the early vibes are pretty clear. Balen’s centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is currently leading in more than two-thirds of the directly elected seats. The established parties, like the Nepali Congress and the UML, are currently trailing so far behind they might need binoculars to see the winner.
Who Exactly is Balen Shah?
Before he was eyeing up the top job, Balen was a structural engineer with a side hustle in socially conscious rap. His song “Balidan” (Sacrifice) has millions of views, mostly because it tackles the exact things making Nepalis angry: corruption, stagnation, and a lack of jobs.
His popularity exploded during last year’s protests. Those riots started over a social media ban but ended with 77 people dead and the government toppled. Balen did not just watch from the sidelines; he called the then leader a “terrorist” and backed the youth led uprising.
The “Macho” Mayor
His time as mayor was not all rap battles and rainbows, though. He was often criticised for:
- Heavy handedness: Using police to clear street vendors and slums.
- Media Blackouts: He famously dodges journalists, preferring to storm through crowds in his sunglasses rather than give an interview.
- Controversial Comments: He has a habit of making volatile public statements about neighbouring countries and mainstream parties.
Despite the “macho” persona, nearly 19 million voters seem to think he is the fresh start Nepal needs. With 800,000 first time voters hitting the booths, the “Gen Z” effect is in full swing.
Why This Matters
For three decades, Nepal has been stuck in a cycle of shaky coalition governments led by the same three parties. If Balen secures this victory, it is a seismic shift. It suggests that people are tired of the old faces and are willing to take a chance on a man who knows more about flow and rhythm than he does about diplomatic protocol.
Whether he can actually run a country as well as he runs a city remains to be seen. But for now, the old political elite are being told to move aside. The beat has dropped, and Balen is taking the stage.
Related topics: Asia
