KATHMANDU, Nepal
A new political party led by a former rapper has surged to an early lead in Nepal’s parliamentary election, the first national vote since last year’s youth-led uprising, according to partial results released Saturday.
The Rastriya Swatantra (National Independent) Party has already secured 60 of 165 directly elected seats and is leading in 61 other constituencies, the Election Commission reported.
At the helm is Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician who first won the Kathmandu mayoral race in 2022 before emerging as a key figure in the 2025 revolt that ousted former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli.
Shah’s campaign tapped into deep public frustration with traditional political parties, focusing on health and education reforms for poor Nepalis.
In a symbolic blow to the old guard, Shah defeated Oli directly in a southeastern district, securing nearly four times as many votes as the former prime minister.
The strong performance by Shah’s party signals a potential realignment in Nepali politics, with voters embracing fresh faces following last year’s historic uprising.
By James Kisoo
