Former rapper Balendra Shah leads Rastriya Swatantra Party toward landslide victory in Nepal general election

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah and his RSP lead in over 100 seats as Nepal's general election signals a massive shift away from traditional parties.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 8:47 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Independent

Rastriya Swatantra Party dominates early returns

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), a progressive centrist organization founded just three years ago, has emerged as the clear frontrunner in Nepal’s first nationwide election since the 2025 anti-government uprising. By Friday, the RSP was leading in more than 100 of the 165 seats determined through the first-past-the-post voting system. This performance significantly outpaces traditional political heavyweights, with the Nepali Congress leading in only 12 seats and former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (UML) ahead in nine. Of the 275 total seats in parliament, 110 will be allocated through proportional representation following the conclusion of the direct election count.

The rise of Balendra Shah

Party leader Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old former rapper and civil engineer, has transitioned from the mayoralty of Kathmandu to a leading candidate for prime minister. Shah’s platform, which emphasizes expanded healthcare and education for impoverished communities, has resonated with a Gen Z electorate disillusioned by decades of corruption and nepotism. During the campaign, Shah notably led over Mr. Oli in the former prime minister’s own home constituency of Jhapa 5. The RSP has further emphasized its commitment to generational change by fielding nine Gen Z candidates, including 29-year-old urban planner Sasmit Pokharel, who resigned as a mayoral aide to contest a parliamentary seat.

Context of the 2025 political uprising

The current election follows a turbulent period sparked by a social media ban in September 2025, which escalated into nationwide protests that toppled the Oli administration. The ensuing unrest resulted in approximately 80 deaths, many occurring during government-ordered police crackdowns. Protesters targeted major symbols of state power, setting fire to portions of the parliament, the Supreme Court, and the central government secretariat. Public anger was driven by entrenched social inequality and the perceived incompetence of the "old guard," eventually forcing the 74-year-old Mr. Oli and his government to resign amid the mounting instability.