KATHMANDU, Nepal — Balendra Shah constructed his popularity attacking Nepal’s political institution lengthy earlier than coming into politics. As a rapper referred to as Balen, he railed in opposition to corruption, inequality and state failure.
Now, after a sweeping victory in elections earlier this month by his Rastriya Swatantra Occasion, or RSP, the 35-year-old is about to be sworn in Friday as prime minister. In that position, he’ll confront the duty of fixing the very system he as soon as denounced.
Shah’s rise marks considered one of Nepal’s most putting political shifts in recent times. He first gained nationwide political prominence by profitable Kathmandu’s mayoral race in 2022 as an impartial, defeating candidates from established events.

