After Gen-Z Protests Former Rapper’s Party Sweeps Nepal 2026 Polls

Nepal General Election 2026 sees Balendra Shah’s party win big after Gen-Z protests in Kathmandu, defeating former PM KP Sharma Oli in a major political shift.

Kathmandu: In a major political shift, the party led by former Nepali rapper Balendra Shah has reportedly emerged victorious in Nepal’s general elections, marking a dramatic change in the country’s political landscape following months of youth-led protests.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party, associated with Shah’s political rise, is expected to form the next government after securing a sweeping victory in the polls. The election comes in the aftermath of widespread demonstrations led largely by Gen-Z voters in the capital, Kathmandu, which resulted in the collapse of the government led by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Following the political turmoil, Nepal appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim Prime Minister. The interim administration then announced fresh general elections to restore political stability in the country.

The results indicate a strong wave of public dissatisfaction with the previous government. KP Sharma Oli suffered a significant defeat in his own constituency, Jhapa-5, losing by a margin of 49,614 votes, according to election reports.

Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, first rose to national prominence in 2022 when he won the mayoral election in Kathmandu as an independent candidate. A civil engineer and former rapper, he campaigned on issues such as tackling corruption, ending entrenched political nepotism, and improving governance in Nepal.

His message resonated strongly with young voters, particularly members of the Gen-Z demographic, who played a crucial role in mobilizing support during both the protests and the elections.

If Shah takes oath as Nepal’s Prime Minister, he would become the youngest Prime Minister in the parliamentary history of Nepal and the first Madhesi leader to hold the top political office in the country.

Political analysts say the election results signal a generational shift in Nepalese politics, driven by younger voters demanding accountability, transparency, and new leadership.