Balendra Shah's mass appeal

Nepal’s latest general election appears to mark one of the most significant political shifts in the country’s recent history. For decades, Nepal’s politics has been dominated by a handful of established parties and veteran leaders, with governments frequently changing and coalition politics shaping the country’s governance. But the results of this election suggest that many voters particularly younger voters were ready for something different. The Rastriya Swatantra Party, a relatively new political force, is heading towards a sweeping victory, signalling a potential disruption of the traditional political order.


At the centre of this political moment is Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen a rapper-turned-politician and former mayor of Kathmandu who has emerged as one of the most prominent faces of a new generation in Nepali politics. His rise reflects a broader mood of dissatisfaction with entrenched political elites and a growing demand for generational change in leadership. The strong performance of his party suggests that many voters are willing to place their trust in newer political actors who promise governance reforms and a break from the country’s long-standing cycle of unstable governments.


This election also comes in the aftermath of the youth-led protests that forced the resignation of Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli last year, highlighting deep public frustration over corruption, governance failures and political stagnation. With Nepal having witnessed 14 governments in the past 18 years, the results are widely being interpreted as a moment of political reckoning for traditional parties such as the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).


At the same time, developments in Nepal are being closely watched in the region, particularly in India, which shares deep political, economic and cultural ties with its Himalayan neighbour. Nepal’s political trajectory has often had broader regional implications, not least because of its position between India and China, and the delicate balance it has historically maintained between the two.


In this episode, we explore what Nepal’s election results signal about the country’s evolving political landscape. Sanjeev Satgainya offers insights into the forces behind this electoral surge, the decline of traditional political parties and the challenges that Nepal’s next government will face.


Guest: Sanjeev Satgainya

Host: Shikha Kumari A

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