Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, 35, was sworn in as prime minister of Nepal on Friday, tasked with restoring ‌political stability and creating jobs in the poor Himalayan nation long troubled by fragile governments and weak growth prospects. Shah became prime minister after his three-year-old Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won 182 seats in the 275-member parliament in the March 5 election, the first vote after the anti-corruption Gen Z protests in which 76 people were killed in September last year.

Why did Balendra Shah's victory surprises many?

In a surprise, Shah, a 35-year-old leader, who is now heading a Hindu-majority nation, had surprised many in world politics as he is the only leader who spoke barely in public before the polls. In fact, his personality could be summed up as the most "silent" candidate in Nepalese politics. He speaks barely on stage, despite being a popular rapper-- an art which needs continuous public exposure. According to a report by news agency PTI, he spoke for barely 26 minutes in his five political meetings. Shah, who is widely accepted as Gen Z's favorite leader, campaigned for only two weeks-- less than what Indian politicians do in rural or ward-level elections.

(Balendra Shah | CREDIT: REUTERS)

26 minutes of speech enough to gain 52 lakh votes

However, for a 1990-born 'Balen,' this was enough to garner 52 lakh votes under the proportionate voting for his party, the RSP. The RSP, which had projected the former Kathmandu mayor, popular only as 'Balen', as the prime ministerial candidate, secured a massive 182 seats out of a total 275 seats in the March 5 House of Representatives (HoR), making it eligible to form a majority government in the Himalayan nation.

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"Balen addressed some 4-5 public meetings from Jhapa in the east to Sudur Paschim in the far west, attracting thousands of people. But, if we look at the duration, he spoke to the point, just 4 or 5 minutes at each meeting," said Saraswotee Karmacharya, a journalist associated with Nepal Samacharapatra.

(Balendra Shah | CREDIT: REUTERS)

Have you taken your tea? Balen's casual campaign was a hit

Videos available on the party's social media platforms, electronic and print media reports and accounts by party workers show that Balen's speeches were informal. It was more as if he spoke to people casually. "Have you taken your tea?" "What sort of vegetable did you have today?" "You consumed the vegetables grown locally or imported from across the border?"

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"In Janakpur, he spoke in Maithali language, his mother tongue, and while touring Sudur Paschim, he wrote a status on social media in Doteli language saying 'Sudur ab door naahi, Jhikke, Jhikke Maya Tamlai,' meaning, 'Far west is no more far away, many many love to you'," said Birendra Kumar Jha, lecturer and a resident of Janakpurdham, who keenly listened to his speeches.

Balen didn't even ask for votes in campaign

At other places, Balen spoke in the Nepali language, the national language. Party workers said Balen didn't even ask for votes during the campaign. "In one of the speeches, he said, 'I am here not to seek votes for us, but I am here to ask for work to be done. Even if our party doesn't win, we will work for the people'," said journalist Karmacharya.

Addressing an election campaign in Janakpur, he said, "Don't cast a vote for me being a son of Madhesi, but give your vote for being a good candidate."

No criticism

Commenting on Balen's substantially different campaign style, Jha said his speeches were "short, sweet, to the point and impressive". "Unlike other candidates, Balen didn't criticise any political party or candidate, didn't give big assurances or promises. He touched the hearts of the common people, and also talked about local problems," Jha added.

In one of his hit speeches in Dhangadhi assembly constituency in western Nepal, Balen said, "We don't need to convert our country into Switzerland. Here we have Badhimalika and Khaptad National Park, which are more beautiful than Switzerland."

Balen, with his signature dark goggles and black blazer, always carried a small metal bell, the RSP symbol, to his political rallies. His short speeches were always preceded by the ringing of that bell, which, his party workers said, was a warning to the opposition.

(With inputs from agency)