Kathmandu [Nepal], March 8 (ANI): Celebrations erupted across Nepal as supporters of Balendra “Balen” Shah took to the streets singing and dancing after his party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), claimed a sweeping victory in the country’s parliamentary elections.
Supporters gathered outside counting centers ringing bells—the party’s election symbol—and chanting slogans praising Shah, who is widely expected to become Nepal’s next Prime Minister.
RSP vice president Dol Prasad Aryal told ANI that the party expects to secure a commanding two-thirds majority in parliament.
“We are expecting around 186 seats in total,” Aryal said while leaving a counting centre on the outskirts of Kathmandu.
Landslide Victory and Parliamentary Majority
According to Nepal’s Election Commission of Nepal, Shah has already secured a decisive victory in the Jhapa District parliamentary constituency, defeating former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Shah received 68,348 votes, while Oli trailed far behind with 18,734 votes.
With this win, Shah confirmed his entry into the lower house of parliament and effectively secured the premiership as the RSP moves toward a comfortable majority in the 275-member House of Representatives.
Under the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system, 165 seats are contested directly, while 110 seats are allocated through proportional representation. The majority threshold stands at 138 seats, which the RSP is expected to surpass once final results are confirmed next week.
Preliminary results show the RSP already winning 59 direct seats and leading in more than 100 constituencies.
Oli Congratulates Shah
Following the results, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli publicly congratulated Shah.
In a message posted on X, Oli wrote:
“Balen Babu, congratulations to you for the victory. May your five-year tenure be smooth and successful—heartfelt best wishes.”
Election Triggered by Gen-Z Protest Movement
The election was held after the collapse of the previous government led by Oli following mass protests in September last year.
The two-day demonstrations—largely driven by students and young voters—ended in tragedy when police opened fire on protesters, leaving 77 people dead. The unrest ultimately forced the government to step down and triggered early elections.
Thursday’s nationwide vote recorded a preliminary turnout of around 60 percent, signaling strong public engagement in what many observers view as a turning point for the country’s political future.
From Rapper to Prime Minister
Born in 1990, Shah—popularly known as “Balen”—is poised to become one of the youngest prime ministers in Nepal’s history.
Before entering politics, he gained recognition in the underground rap scene through the Raw Barz rap battle league. He later trained as a structural engineer, earning a degree from Himalayan WhiteHouse International College and a master’s degree in structural engineering in India.
In 2022, he stunned the political establishment by winning the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate, defeating candidates from major parties.
He secured 61,767 votes, defeating Sirjana Singh of the Nepali Congress and Keshav Sthapit of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).
Rise of a Populist Reform Figure
Shah formally joined the RSP on January 18, 2026, launching his national campaign from Janakpur the following day. In a bold political gamble, he chose to contest elections from Jhapa-5, a long-time stronghold of KP Sharma Oli.
With a massive online following of over 3.5 million Facebook followers, Shah often bypasses traditional media and communicates directly with supporters.
While critics point to his outspoken and sometimes controversial rhetoric, his supporters see him as an authentic reformer capable of confronting corruption and entrenched political elites.
“Reducing Corruption to Zero”
According to RSP leaders, tackling corruption remains the party’s central agenda.
“Every foreign country talks about Nepal’s corruption,” Aryal said. “Our goal is to reduce corruption almost to zero and deliver real development so people feel that the government truly works for them.”
A Political Turning Point
Nepal now stands at a critical juncture as a new generation of leadership emerges.
Whether Shah proves to be a visionary reformer or a disruptive populist remains to be seen. But with the old political guard losing ground and the RSP on course for a historic mandate, the country may be entering a new political era.
680 words, 4 minutes read time.
About The Author
