PTI
Kathmandu
In a landmark shift in Nepali politics, 35-year-old Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen Shah, is poised to become Nepal’s next Prime Minister, the youngest, following his Rastriya Swatantra Party’s (RSP) sweeping victory in the 2026 general elections.
A look into the profile;
Birth and Heritage: Born on April 27, 1990, in Naradevi, Kathmandu, Balen is of Maithili origin. He is the son of Ram Narayan Shah, an Ayurvedic practitioner.
Schooling: He completed his 10+2 studies at V S Niketan Higher Secondary School in Kathmandu.
Technical degrees: He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Himalayan White House International College. Later, he pursued an M Tech in Structural Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) in Karnataka, India.
Advanced research: Demonstrating a commitment to urban preservation, he enrolled in a PhD programme at Kathmandu University, focusing on the conservation of Newa heritage structures.
Nephop influence: He began his music career in 2012 with the single “SadakBalak.” He gained national fame through the YouTube battle rap series Raw Barz.
Art as activism: His music often carries strong political messages, mocking corruption and highlighting the struggles of ordinary citizens. Hits like “Balidan” have garnered millions of views.
Professional work: In parallel with his music, he worked as a professional structural engineer, applying his technical expertise to various infrastructure projects.
Family life: In 2018, he married Sabina Kafle. Despite his public persona, he maintained a balanced personal life as he transitioned from a rapper to a technician and leader.
Political career
Balen’s move into politics marked a historic moment that questioned Nepal’s traditional party system.
Mayoral victory: In May 2022, he contested the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate. He defeated veterans from the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML with a wide margin.
Transparency initiatives: His first major act was to live-stream municipal council meetings, ensuring unprecedented transparency in local government.
Urban reforms: As mayor, he focused on waste management, removing illegally built structures, and improving public health services.
Education reforms: He introduced “textbook-free Fridays” in community schools to promote technical skills and creative learning.
Controversies: His tenure was also marked by a reputation as a “bulldozer mayor” for the forceful removal of street vendors and landless squatters.
Mayor of the year: In December 2025, he was named “Mayor of the Year” by Democracy Local for his efforts in advancing local democratic self-government.
Symbol of youth change: He is widely recognised as a symbol of the “Gen Z” movement in Nepal, bridging the gap between traditional politics and the digital generation.
Social media influence: With over 3.5 million followers, he is acknowledged for bypassing traditional media to engage directly with citizens, a feat recognised by various international political analysts.
Urban reform recognition: His technical approach to addressing long-standing urban issues such as traffic and waste has been praised as a model for urban governance in South Asia.
Resignation and transition: He resigned as the Mayor of Kathmandu in January 2026 to pursue national leadership.
Joining the RSP: He joined the RastriyaSwatantra Party (RSP) and led the party to victory in the recently held elections.
