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Nepali rapper-turned-mayor emerges as youth favourite for interim leadership

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Banglapress Published: 23 September 2025, 10:26 AM
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Nepali rapper-turned-mayor emerges as youth favourite for interim leadership
  Bangla Press Desk: Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, has emerged as a favourite among young Nepalis to represent them in an interim government after deadly protests forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign. The 35-year-old structural engineer and former rapper, often seen in a dark blazer and sunglasses, has gained wide popularity as a disruptive political figure in a system dominated by older leaders. Calls for him to step into national leadership have intensified following this week’s anti-graft protests, organised by “Gen Z Nepal,” which left 19 people dead. “You should be our new prime minister,” posted Rewant Adhikari on X, echoing many urging Mr Shah to replace the 73-year-old Mr Oli. More than half of Nepal’s 30 million people are under 30, yet the country is still largely governed by leaders twice their age. Former Supreme Court judge and constitutional expert Balaram K.C. said Mr Shah should be among youth representatives holding talks with President Ram Chandra Poudel on the way forward.
Mr Shah has not directly responded to the calls but remains at the centre of the debate. A draft policy prepared by Gen Z Nepal names him as a youth representative on a proposed Neutral Interim Authority Council, which would guide the country towards elections within 18 months alongside technocrats and civil society leaders. On social media, where he has more than 800,000 followers, Mr Shah has strongly supported protesters, even calling Mr Oli a “terrorist” who did not understand the “pain of losing a son or daughter.” Still, he has said he did not join the protests himself, as they were led mainly by people younger than 26, but added: “Now your generation will have to lead the country. Be prepared.” Born in Kathmandu in 1990, Mr Shah studied civil engineering in Nepal and earned a master’s in structural engineering in India. His rap track Balidan (Sacrifice), released in 2020, drew millions of views for its critique of corruption and governance failures. In 2023, Time magazine listed him among its Top 100 Emerging Leaders. Analysts say his tenure as mayor has been marked by anti-corruption drives, urban reforms and a strong social media presence, from improving pedestrian infrastructure to pressing for accountability in education.
Many young Nepalis now see him as the voice of their generation. “The youth want you to step forward as a temporary spokesperson during this transition,” wrote IT professional Pramod Kandel on X. “For the long term, we need you… to work with, even under, other non-corrupt leaders who have competence and love for the country.” This article was originally published on Daily Sun. [Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]
BP/ZE
[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]

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