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35-year-old Balen shah, known for his sharp dressing and dark sunglasses, has become a symbol of youth-driven political change in Nepal. He will take oath as Prime Minister today.
Balen Shah’s victory means India can no longer rely on back-channel negotiations with ageing patriarchs. (File photo: Facebook)
Nepal’s rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, widely known as Balen, is set to be sworn in as prime minister on Friday. Hours before taking oath as a newly elected lawmaker, he released his first post-election message through a rap song calling for unity.
“The strength of unity is my national power,” he sang, adding, “Undivided Nepali, this time, history is being made.” The song quickly gained tens of thousands of views online.
The 35-year-old leader, known for his sharp dressing and dark sunglasses, has become a symbol of youth-driven political change. He had remained silent since his Rastriya Swatantra Party’s landslide victory in the March 5 election.
The polls were the first since a youth-led uprising in September 2025 that toppled the government. At least 77 people were killed during the anti-corruption protests, which began over a brief social media ban but reflected wider anger over economic hardship.
What did the song say?
In his song, Shah expressed determination and unity. “My heart is full of courage, my red blood is boiling; my brothers stand with me, this time we will rise,” he said. He added, “May my breath not run out, I will run like a leopard,” alongside campaign footage.
Outgoing interim prime minister Sushila Karki addressed the nation, expressing confidence in the new government. She said the country’s future rests with the younger generation and hoped it would tackle corruption, improve governance, create jobs, and ensure economic growth and social justice.
Nepal held snap general elections on March 5, won decisively by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) led by rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah.
The RSP secured a historic single-party majority with around 125 seats out of 165 in direct voting plus proportional representation wins, marking the first such outcome in decades and ousting the prior coalition government amid 2025 youth protests.
Karki also said a report on the crackdown on protesters would be released. A leaked version recommends prosecuting former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, who lost his seat to Shah.
The report also calls for action against former interior minister Ramesh Lekhak and ex-police chief Chandra Kuber Khapung. It states they failed to prevent further casualties during the protests.
The report said there was no clear order to open fire, but authorities did not act to stop it. It noted that minors were among those killed. Of 63 completed autopsies, 48 victims died from bullet wounds, mostly to the chest or head.
March 27, 2026, 12:14 IST
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