Nepal has witnessed a dramatic political upheaval as rapper-turned-politician Balendra “Balen” Shah leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party, RSP, to a historic electoral victory.
The 35-year-old former Kathmandu mayor not only secured a sweeping majority nationwide but also unseated former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in one of his strongest constituencies.
Shah’s rise reflects widespread voter frustration with decades of entrenched political elites and signals a potential shift toward a new generation of leadership in the country.
The victory signals a decisive rejection of Nepal’s long-dominant political establishment. One of the most symbolic moments of the election came when Shah defeated former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa-5, a constituency long considered one of Oli’s strongest political bases.
Across the country, RSP supporters say the result reflects growing frustration with decades of perceived corruption, political stagnation, and weak governance.
“Balen represents hope for a new political culture,” said Jhapa-5 voter Ispa Sapkota.
However, the landslide victory also pushes Nepal into largely uncharted territory. The RSP is a young party with little governing experience, yet it now faces immense public expectations to deliver rapid reforms.
At just 35, Shah has only three years of political experience, serving as mayor of Kathmandu. For many voters, his relative inexperience is not a weakness but a symbol of change from the country’s traditional political elite who have dominated power for decades.
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Still, Shah’s record as mayor has faced criticism. Human rights groups previously raised concerns about his administration’s use of police against street vendors during efforts to clear roads and regulate unlicensed businesses in the capital.
Human Rights Watch says such actions often reflect the pressure new leaders face to demonstrate quick results.
“We hope as prime minister there will be a stronger focus on rules-based governance,” said Meenakshi Ganguly of Human Rights Watch’s Asia Division.
A central pillar of the RSP’s agenda is tackling corruption. The party has promised to investigate assets accumulated by politicians since the 1990s and nationalise properties acquired illegally. It also plans sweeping reforms of Nepal’s judiciary, including ending political appointments of judges and exploring live-streamed court proceedings to increase transparency.
Constitutional expert Bipin Adhikari believes Nepal’s institutions could help support these reforms.
“The civil service has been politicised for years,” he said. “There’s growing frustration within the bureaucracy, and many officials are ready for change.”
RSP leaders say they are already planning measures to encourage cooperation within the civil service. Newly elected MP Shishir Khanal said the party will introduce legislation to reform how civil servants are paid and promoted, creating stronger incentives for performance.
Economic reform is another top priority. Young Nepalis, facing limited job opportunities at home, have placed significant hope in the new government. Youth unemployment stands at around 20%, and nearly three million Nepalis currently work overseas.
“When we search for jobs, we cannot find them here,” Sapkota said. “Brain drain is becoming one of our country’s biggest problems.”
The RSP manifesto promises to grow Nepal’s economy by 7% annually, aiming to turn the country into a $100 billion economy within five to seven years. However, some economists warn that these targets may be overly ambitious.
World Bank data shows Nepal’s economy growing by about 4.6% in 2025, with projections suggesting slower growth ahead due to ongoing political instability, declining tourism and frequent natural disasters.
Another concern is Nepal’s heavy dependence on remittances. More than a quarter of the country’s GDP comes from money sent home by workers abroad, many of whom work in the Middle East.
Nishchal N Pandey, director of the Centre for South Asian Studies in Nepal, says regional conflicts could threaten this vital economic lifeline.
“If remittances are affected, Nepal could face serious economic problems,” he warned.
RSP leaders remain optimistic. Khanal argues that reducing bureaucratic hurdles and simplifying regulations could stimulate investment and entrepreneurship.
“Two dozen outdated laws can be scrapped or reformed immediately,” he said. “Right now, registering a company requires navigating multiple departments.”
Despite the party’s overwhelming victory, internal challenges may also emerge. The RSP’s MPs come from diverse professional backgrounds and many are new to politics, raising questions about how unified they will remain in parliament.
Adhikari believes managing internal discipline could become one of the government’s biggest tests.
“They are new to statecraft and may quickly develop individual ambitions,” he said.
There are also concerns about the strength of the opposition. With the RSP dominating parliament, some analysts fear weak oversight could undermine democratic accountability if independent institutions fail to challenge the government.
Nepal’s international relationships present another delicate balancing act. The country sits between two powerful neighbours, India and China, both of which hold significant influence in the region.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already congratulated Shah and RSP president Rabi Lamichhane on their electoral success, highlighting the importance of relations between the two countries.
Nepal has historically followed a policy of neutrality, attempting to maintain balanced relations with both Beijing and New Delhi.
RSP leaders say that approach will continue. The party has ruled out joining any security alliances and insists Nepal will maintain its independent foreign policy.
Meanwhile, the United States is also closely watching developments, given its strategic interest in South Asia and concerns about China’s expanding regional influence.
For now, Nepal’s voters, especially younger citizens, are watching closely. Many believe this election represents a rare opportunity to reshape the country’s political future.
Arise News
