Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah has been sworn in as Nepal’s youngest prime minister following a landslide win in the country’s first election since last year’s Gen-Z-led protests.
The 35-year-old leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party took his oath at the President’s office at Sheetal Nivas on Friday, administered by President Ramchandra Paudel. Just before assuming office, the former rapper released a song expressing optimism about Nepal’s future, with the lyrics “Undivided Nepali, this time history is being made.” The track drew about 2 million views within hours.
After serving three years as Kathmandu’s mayor, Shah joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party as its prime ministerial candidate and secured victory in the general elections. Raised by a stay-at-home mother and an ayurvedic practitioner father, Shah is married and lives with his wife and daughter. He rose to prominence after winning a popular rap battle with verses that reflected youth frustration over neglect, corruption and social inequality; his songs were widely used by youth during the protests that helped topple the previous government.
Shah largely stayed out of traditional public rallies during the campaign, running primarily on social media. He pledged a broad anti-corruption agenda, judiciary reforms and the creation of 1.2 million new jobs.
After taking office, Shah unveiled his council of ministers, including five women in an effort to make the cabinet more inclusive. Shah himself will oversee both the defence and industry portfolios.
Key appointments include:
– Swarnim Wagle, RSP vice-chair, as Finance Minister.
– Shishir Khanal, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
– Khadka Raj (Ganesh) Paudel, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
– Sasmit Pokharel, Minister for Education, Science and Technology, and Youth and Sports.
– Pratibha Rawal, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation.
– Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.
– Gita Chaudhary, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Forest and Environment.
– Sobita Gautam, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
– Sita Badi, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens.
– Sunil Lamsal, Minister for Physical Infrastructure, Transport and Urban Development.
– Nisha Mehata, Minister for Health and Population, and Water Supply.
