Rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah takes over as Nepal’s youngest PM

KATHMANDU, March 27: Rapper-turned-politician Balendra “Balen” Shah has made history as Nepal’s youngest democratically elected prime minister at 35.
Sworn in on Friday by President Ram Chandra Paudel, Shah leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which won a landslide victory in the March 5 parliamentary elections, securing 182 of 275 seats in the House of Representatives.
His election follows the collapse of the KP Sharma Oli government six months ago, triggered by a youth-led Gen Z movement protesting corruption, nepotism, and social media restrictions.
A former mayor of Kathmandu, Balen is also the first prime minister from Nepal’s Madhes region.
He defeated four-time former prime minister Sharma Oli in the Jhapa-5 constituency, signaling a major shift in Nepalese politics.
Shah had been considered for an interim government but opted to contest elections for a full term, emphasizing democratic legitimacy.
On Friday, Shah restructured his cabinet and merged several ministries to simplify governance and improve coordination.
He retained the Defence and Industry, Commerce, and Supplies portfolios, while 14 other ministers took the oath at the President’s residence, Shital Niwas.
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle ranks second in hierarchy, followed by Home Affairs Minister Sudan Gurung.
Key mergers included Youth and Sports with Education, Science, and Technology (headed by Sasmita Pokharel); Drinking Water with Health and Population (Nisha Mehta); Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation with Federal Affairs and General Administration (Pratibha Rawal); and Forest and Environment merged into Agriculture (Gita Chaudhary).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India congratulated Shah, emphasizing India-Nepal strategic ties. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and China also extended congratulations, with China pledging to strengthen cooperation.
Balen’s rise represents a generational shift in Nepalese politics. Previous young leaders, such as Tulsi Giri in 1963, were appointed rather than democratically elected.
The RSP’s decisive victory and Shah’s cabinet reforms mark a transformative moment, streamlining government functions while maintaining the constitutional limit of 25 ministers under Article 76.
Shah’s leadership promises renewed focus on youth representation, socio-economic development, governance modernization, and stronger regional diplomacy.
His tenure underscores public demand for transparency, accountability, and reform in Nepal’s highest office, reflecting a political renewal in the Himalayan nation. (PTI)