Former rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah has defeated veteran leader and former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli in Nepal’s parliamentary election, marking a major political upset in the Himalayan nation.
Shah, a 35-year-old structural engineer and former mayor of Kathmandu, contested the Jhapa-5 constituency against the 74-year-old Oli, who had held the seat for years. Official results showed Shah securing a decisive victory, signalling a shift toward younger leadership in Nepali politics.
The election comes after months of political turmoil and youth-led protests in 2025 that led to the fall of the previous government and intensified demands for reforms, transparency and better governance.
Shah’s political movement has gained support among younger voters frustrated with decades of dominance by traditional parties such as the Communist Party of Nepal and the Nepali Congress. Analysts say the result reflects growing public appetite for new leadership and anti-corruption reforms.
Preliminary results also indicate strong performance by Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party, which is emerging as a major political force and could play a central role in forming Nepal’s next government.
The dramatic election result marks one of the most significant shifts in Nepal’s political landscape in recent years, potentially ushering in a new generation of leaders.