Nepal’s politics has seen a major shift, with Balendra Shah sworn in as Prime Minister at the age of just 35. Soon after his swearing-in, his ex (Twitter) bio became a topic of discussion on social media, in which he describes himself as a rapper, structural engineer, and former mayor, along with being Prime Minister.
Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel appointed Shah as Prime Minister under Article 76(1) of the Constitution. Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav , the Chief Justice, senior politicians and diplomats were present at the swearing-in ceremony.
This year’s swearing-in ceremony was special, as it was conducted according to Vedic tradition, with the blowing of seven conch shells. This is being seen as a culturally distinct and symbolic change. Furthermore, this is the first time a leader from the Madhesi community has become Prime Minister of Nepal.
Interestingly, just hours before his swearing-in, Shah released a new rap song, expressing hope for Nepal’s future. The song quickly went viral, garnering millions of views.
Speaking of his political career, Shah entered politics in 2022 by winning the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent. He subsequently defeated former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in the parliamentary elections by a wide margin, garnering over 68,000 votes, considered one of the largest victories in recent years.
Shah’s background also sets him apart. He holds a master’s degree in structural engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University in India. This technical understanding and ground-level experience have helped him make practical administrative decisions.
Overall, Balendra Shah’s coming to power is being seen as a sign of the rise of a new generation and different thinking in Nepal’s politics.