1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
PoliticsNepal

Nepal: Rapper-turned-politician set to become next PM

March 13, 2026

Balendra Shah, a rapper-turned-politician, is all set to take over the reins of Nepal after the Himalayan nation held its first parliamentary election since last year's youth-led revolt.

https://p.dw.com/p/5ALuA

Nepal's rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah is set to become the next prime minister. 

His centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won a commanding majority in the parliamentary elections held on March 5.

The elections came six months after mass protests toppled then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's government in September 2025.

At least 77 people were killed in the unrest.

Just 35, Shah rose from mayor of the capital Kathmandu to defeat veteran four-time PM Oli in his own constituency.

Srinivas Mazumdaru Editor and reporter focusing on business, geopolitics and current affairs