Rapper Balendra Shah Takes Oath as Nepal Prime Minister Following Landslide Victory and Deadly Anti-Corruption Uprising

Nepal's Balendra Shah takes office as PM after a landslide win, facing tasks of economic reform and justice for victims of recent anti-corruption protests.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 6:39 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CNA

A New Era Defined by Youth Driven Political Reform

Nepal’s political landscape underwent a seismic shift on Friday as 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah officially took the oath of office as prime minister. Dressed in his signature black attire and dark sunglasses, Shah pledged his loyalty to the constitution during a ceremony in Kathmandu that drew exuberant crowds. His Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured a massive majority of 182 seats in the 275-seat House of Representatives, capitalizing on a wave of Gen Z and youth-led momentum. According to official reports, the victory marks the first formal government transition since a violent anti-corruption uprising last year successfully ousted the previous leadership, signaling a widespread public demand for structural change and transparency.

The Shadow of the Uprising and Calls for Justice

The swearing-in ceremony took place against the backdrop of a deeply scarred national consciousness, following protests that claimed the lives of at least 77 people. Outgoing interim leader Sushila Karki, who oversaw a six-month caretaker administration, utilized her final statements to urge a balance between boldness and caution for her young successor. Karki also revealed that an investigation into the deadly crackdown on protesters has been completed, with a leaked copy of the report suggesting the prosecution of former prime minister KP Sharma Oli. The commission findings indicate that the majority of victims died from bullet wounds to the chest and head, a revelation that places immediate pressure on the Shah administration to pursue legal accountability for the previous government’s actions.

Strategic Appointments to Stabilize a Fragile Economy

To address the nation's severe economic hardship, Shah has appointed a cabinet designed to blend activist energy with technical expertise. Swarnim Wagle, a former economic advisor to the United Nations, has been named finance minister with the daunting mandate of restructuring a battered domestic market. Additionally, former youth activist Sudan Gurung has taken over the interior ministry, a role that will be pivotal in managing internal security and restoring public trust in the police force. These appointments suggest that Shah is prioritizing functional governance over purely populist appeal, aiming to translate his campaign promises of reform into tan...