Balendra Shah, the 35-year-old structural engineer and music star popularly known as “Balen,” is poised to become Nepal’s next prime minister following a monumental electoral victory.
His Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured an unprecedented majority in the March 5 general elections, fueled by a powerful “Gen Z” movement that sought to dismantle the country’s long-standing political establishment.
Shah’s victory in the Jhapa-5 constituency was particularly symbolic, as he defeated veteran four-time Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli by a staggering margin of nearly 50,000 votes.
This political shift follows a period of intense civil unrest in late 2025, where youth-led protests against corruption and restricted freedoms led to the ousting of the previous administration.
Shah, who previously gained administrative experience as the Mayor of Kathmandu, campaigned on a platform of technocratic reform and accountability.
As he prepares to take office as the first Madhesi and youngest prime minister in Nepal’s history, he faces the significant challenge of meeting the high expectations of a generation eager for systemic change and economic stability.
