Who is Balendra Shah, the rapper-turned Kathmandu mayor set to run for Nepal PM?
Balendra Shah, the rapper who became Kathmandu mayor, has become one of the key faces in Nepal's political battleground. Also known as Balen, the highly popular public figure has joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
New Delhi: The political landscape in Nepal is undergoing a huge shift as two popular leaders have joined hands before the general elections, which are supposed to take place in March. The tectonic change in the nation's political landscape will see older, dominant parties being challenged by new forces.
Balendra Shah, the new PM face in Nepal
Balendra Shah, the rapper who became Kathmandu mayor, has become one of the key faces in Nepal's political battleground. Also known as Balen, the highly-popular public figure has joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which former TV host-turned politician Rabi Lamichhane is leading. The 51-year-old Lamichhane and the 35-year-old Shah have pledged to address the demands of the younger generation after the deadly anti-corruption protests in September that overthrew the government.
The popularity of Balendra Shah
Balendra Shah is an extremely popular figure in Nepal, and he has emerged as one of the biggest characters during the political transition. Notably, he helped in the formation of the Sushila Karki-led interim government after the ousting of KP Sharma Oli and his administration. During the protests in September, Balen was an undeclared leader of the youngsters.
According to reports quoting party officials, Shah has entered into an agreement with RSP, which will make him the prime minister if the RSP wins the upcoming parliamentary elections, and Lamichhane will remain the party chief. While Shah and his group will contest the elections on the RSP’s election symbol ‘Bell’, the party’s name, flag, and election symbol will remain unchanged.