US EditionNepal ex-rapper's party wins election in landslide after Gen Z protests
The Rastriya Swatantra Party won 182 of 275 seats, marking the largest majority in over six decades and signaling a shift driven by youth-led anti-corruption protests.
- On March 12, the Election Commission of Nepal announced the Rastriya Swatantra Party won 182 of 275 seats in the House of Representatives from the March 5 vote.
- The September 2025 youth uprising, sparked by a social media ban, involved Gen Z protesters who left at least 77 dead and propelled Shah, aided by his song Nepal Haseko with over 10 million views.
- Rastriya Swatantra Party won 125 direct seats and 57 PR seats, with Balendra Shah defeating veteran four-time prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli, backed by diaspora funders in the United States.
- Election officials say parties must submit names within three days to fill seats, a new prime minister is not expected for several days, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India has congratulated the winners.
- Nepal's history of frequent government changes and high youth unemployment pose challenges as the RSP manifesto promises 77% annual growth to double the US$42 billion economy despite the World Bank's 4.6% growth in 2025.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Balendra Shah’s Party Wins Nepal Election In Landslide
Could Nepal be entering a new political era—led by a rapper-turned-politician?That’s exactly what the latest election results suggest. The party founded by former Balendra Shah has secured a commanding victory in Nepal’s general election. His party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party, captured 182 out of 275 seats in parliament—an overwhelming majority rarely seen in the country’s complex electoral system.The vote, held on 5 March, followed months of …
The RSP, led by former rapper Balendra Shah, has won a landslide victory in Nepal's parliamentary elections. The rapper-turned-politician could become prime minister.
One of the main promises of the RSP, which won the election, is to fight corruption, but they would also reform the judiciary and live-stream court hearings.
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