Months after youth-led protests against corruption rattled Nepal’s political scene, a former rapper has announced his entry into national politics, positioning himself as a contender for the prime minister’s post.
After Gen Z Protests Shake Nepal, Former Rapper Steps Into PM Contention
According to Insider 18, Nepal’s political landscape is heading toward a major shake-up as two of the country’s most influential and unconventional leaders have joined forces ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for March. The alliance is being widely viewed as a serious challenge to the traditional political parties that have controlled governance in the Himalayan nation for more than 30 years.
Kathmandu’s mayor Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, has officially aligned himself with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), a relatively new political force led by former television personality Rabi Lamichhane. Party representatives confirmed that the agreement was finalized on Sunday, marking one of the most unexpected political developments in recent Nepali history.
Under the terms of the alliance, Balen, who is 35 years old and widely admired among young voters, will be named prime minister if the RSP secures victory in the March 5 parliamentary elections. Lamichhane, meanwhile, will continue to serve as the party’s president and chief strategist. The arrangement reflects a power-sharing understanding designed to capitalize on both leaders’ popularity and distinct appeal.
Balen rose to national prominence after winning the Kathmandu mayoral race as an independent candidate, a result that stunned Nepal’s established political circles. A former rapper and engineer, he has cultivated a reputation as an outspoken reformer willing to confront corruption, bureaucracy, and political privilege. His blunt style and use of social media have resonated strongly with younger Nepalis who feel alienated by mainstream parties.
Lamichhane, on the other hand, built his public profile as a television host known for exposing wrongdoing and questioning authority. His transition from media to politics culminated in the formation of the RSP, a party that presents itself as an alternative to Nepal’s long-dominant political elite.
Both leaders have pledged to address the grievances that fueled the massive youth-led protests in September, which erupted over allegations of widespread corruption, lack of accountability, and poor governance. Those demonstrations, often referred to as the “Gen Z protests,” turned deadly, with 77 people reportedly losing their lives. The unrest ultimately forced then–Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to step down, marking a turning point in Nepal’s political momentum.
Political analyst Bipin Adhikari described the alliance as a calculated and forward-thinking move. Speaking to Insider 18, he said the RSP’s decision to bring Balen into the party was aimed squarely at energizing young voters and consolidating anti-establishment sentiment.
“This is a strategic step by the RSP,” Adhikari said. “Balen represents a generation that is tired of recycled leadership and broken promises. Traditional parties are clearly worried about losing their youth base.”
The concerns of established parties appear justified. Nepal’s Election Commission estimates that nearly 19 million of the country’s 30 million citizens are eligible to vote in the upcoming election. Notably, close to one million new voters, many of them young people, were added to the voter rolls following the September protests. This demographic shift could significantly influence the election outcome.
During the protests, Balen emerged as a symbolic figure for frustrated youth, even though he never officially declared himself a leader of the movement. His presence, public statements, and behind-the-scenes coordination made him a unifying voice for protesters demanding systemic change.
In the aftermath of the unrest, Balen also played a role in the formation of an interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, which was tasked with ensuring a neutral administration to oversee the election process. This move further strengthened his image as a consensus builder rather than a traditional power seeker.
For decades, Nepal’s political power has largely alternated between the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), led by Oli, and the centrist Nepali Congress party. These two forces have dominated coalition governments and state institutions, often drawing criticism for corruption scandals and political stagnation.
With Balen and Lamichhane now standing together, many observers believe the upcoming election could mark the most serious threat yet to this long-standing duopoly. Their alliance is being seen not just as a political partnership, but as a broader generational challenge to Nepal’s entrenched political order.
As the campaign season intensifies, all eyes will be on whether this new coalition can transform popular frustration into electoral success—and whether Nepal’s young voters will finally reshape the country’s political future.
