New Delhi: Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Balendra Shah defeated former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in the high profile Jhapa-5 constituency, dealing a major political setback to the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) leader.
According to The Kathmandu Post, Shah secured 68,348 votes in the constituency. Oli received only 18,734 votes. Shah defeated the former prime minister by a margin of 49,614 votes in a seat that had long been seen as Oli’s political stronghold.
Shah is a rapper turned politician who earlier served as the mayor of Kathmandu. He also contested the election as the prime ministerial candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
RSP moves toward major electoral gains
The Rastriya Swatantra Party also looks set to perform strongly in the national elections. The polls mark the first general election in Nepal after the Gen Z protests that took place last year.
According to data released by Nepal’s Election Commission, the party had already won 63 seats by the time the report was filed. It was also leading in 58 other constituencies.
The strong performance places the party in a commanding position in the national political landscape.
Nepali Congress likely second largest party
The Nepali Congress appears likely to become the second largest party in the election.
The party has won nine seats so far and is leading in ten other constituencies. Meanwhile the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), led by Oli, has secured only three seats and is ahead in eight constituencies.
The results reflect a significant shift in Nepal’s political balance.
Details of the general election
Polling for Nepal’s general elections took place on Thursday. Authorities reported that around 60 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballots.
According to the Election Commission, about 3,400 candidates contested for 165 seats through direct elections. Another 3,135 candidates contested for 110 seats under the proportional representation system.
The commission earlier said that around 18.9 million citizens were eligible to vote in the election.
PM Modi congratulates Nepal
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nepal for conducting the elections peacefully.
In a message posted on X, Modi described Nepal as a close friend of India and praised the participation of voters.
“I warmly congratulate the people and government of Nepal on the successful and peaceful conduct of elections. It is heartening to see my Nepali sisters and brothers exercise their democratic rights so vibrantly. This historic milestone is a proud moment in Nepal’s democratic journey,” he said on the micro-blogging website.
PM Modi also said that India remains committed to strengthening cooperation with Nepal.