How Balendra Shah Rose from Rapper to Nepal’s Prime Minister

Balendra Shah, who once said he had no intention of becoming a political leader or forming a party, has now risen to become the Prime Minister of Nepal a journey shaped largely by changing circumstances and public momentum.

Before being elected Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City in 2022, Shah had stated, “I didn’t come to become a leader or form a party. A mayor should focus on development, not politics.” According to those close to him, he initially had no plans to join a political party or aim for the premiership, instead focusing on urban development as an independent candidate.

However, evolving political dynamics propelled the 36-year-old into national leadership. On Friday, he was officially sworn in as Prime Minister by President Ram Chandra Paudel.

From Independent Mayor to National Leader

Shah was elected to the House of Representatives from Jhapa–5 under the banner of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in the recent elections. He secured a decisive victory over former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, receiving 68,348 votes compared to Oli’s 18,734 toppling a long-standing political stronghold.

Prior to entering parliamentary politics, Shah had resigned as Mayor of Kathmandu, a position he had won as an independent candidate with over 61,000 votes, defeating candidates from major traditional parties. His rise marked a shift in Nepal’s political landscape, signaling growing public support for alternative leadership.

Background: Rapper, Poet, Engineer

Before politics, Shah was widely known as a rapper, poet, and structural engineer. He used music and poetry to highlight social issues, advocate for justice, and inspire youth engagement in governance. His lyrics often reflected frustration with systemic problems and called for change.

Born in Kathmandu to Ayurvedic doctor Dr. Ramnarayan Shah and Dhruvadevi Shah, he studied civil engineering at White House Institute of Technology and later completed a master’s degree in structural engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology in India following the 2015 earthquake.

After returning to Nepal, he contributed to post-earthquake reconstruction, working across 65 districts to build schools, health posts, and other infrastructure. These experiences gave him deep insight into development challenges across the country.

Entry into Politics

Although he had political awareness from a young age participating in protests during the constitution-drafting period—Shah did not initially plan a political career. His decision to run for mayor in 2022 came after years of studying Kathmandu’s development issues and engaging with citizens, youth groups, and activists.

He contested as an independent candidate, using data-driven campaigning and social media outreach. His victory marked a historic moment, defeating established party candidates and establishing him as a powerful new political figure.

Tensions and Transition to National Politics

During his tenure as mayor, Shah often clashed with the federal government over administrative and development issues. His team has claimed that lack of cooperation from central authorities hindered his work.

Despite plans to serve multiple terms as mayor and focus on long-term urban transformation, national political developments particularly youth-led movements and shifting alliances drew him into mainstream politics.

Following political unrest and calls for generational change, Shah began discussions about entering national politics. After multiple attempts to form alliances or new political platforms, he ultimately joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party, where he was positioned as a senior leader and prime ministerial candidate.

Path to Premiership

Declaring himself a prime ministerial contender, Shah chose to contest from Jhapa–5, aiming directly at KP Sharma Oli. His strategy was clear: to become Prime Minister, he believed he must defeat a major national figure.

His campaign was notably restrained, avoiding large speeches and focusing instead on message discipline. Ultimately, voters backed him decisively, and the RSP secured a near two-thirds majority with 182 seats in Parliament.

A New Political Era

Shah’s rapid rise from independent mayor to Prime Minister within a short period has been described as the emergence of a new political era in Nepal. His supporters say his leadership reflects public demand for accountability, development, and a break from traditional politics.

“People have given a huge responsibility,” said a close aide. “He believes more in action than words.”

With a strong mandate and high public expectations, Shah now faces the challenge of translating his reformist image into effective governance at the national level.