- By Aditya Jha
- Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:58 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Balen Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is inching towards a massive victory in the recently concluded Nepal elections. With over six months of the Gen-Z protest that dethroned KP Oli, the people of Nepal had the option of returning back to the old guards or electing the rapper-turned-politician. The voters, especially the youth, have decided to change the political dynamics of the country. Shah, known for his flamboyant style, has always been popular among the youth; however, his popularity surged through the roof during the protests.
How Did Balen Shah Become So Popular?
Shah first came to the limelight in 2013 when he emerged victorious in Raw Barz, a popular rap battle in Nepal. In his songs, Shah talked about the poverty and corruption in Nepal, leading to his fame among the youth, reported Al Jazeera, citing organisers of the competition. He wrote several songs in the next few months, mostly on the culture and practical issues of Nepal.
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"Let me speak, Government-it is not a crime. I fear not to speak the truth. Will the law really come for me, just for raising my voice?" lyrics of one of his popular songs read. Shah made his entry into active politics in 2022 when he contested and swept the Kathmandu mayoral polls. His tenure remained full of controversies, mostly due to conflicts with the central government over several issues.
Entry Into National Politics
Earlier in December 2025, Shah quit as mayor and joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party. As per Pranaya Rana, a senior Nepali journalist, Shah's confrontation style is popular among the youth, reported Al Jazeera. They see Shah as a young politician vocal about the real issues and not stuck with old-age political values.
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The protestors had demanded to make Shah prime minister of Nepal even during the mega protests; however, he insisted on being elected through a democratic process.