Rapper turned politician Balen (Balendra) Shah is on his way to become the Prime Minister of Nepal. His Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has given a crushing defeat to the old parties by winning 100 out of 129 seats. Hip-hop artist Balen has become popular among the youth of Nepal through Instagram and YouTube. There was an echo of anti-corruption in his songs. In 2022, he had won the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate. Obviously it was a small election but this victory was recorded as a vote of protest against the system against traditional politics. In 2025, the Gen-Z movement of Nepal’s anti-corruption youth paved the way for him to lead Nepal.
In a short time he had become a mature politician. His further steps were systematic. Instead of leading an interim government, he decided to wait for the elections. He contested against the ousted Prime Minister K.P.Oli. Not only in his constituency but in the Balen web that spread throughout Nepal, the tents of the opposition veteran leaders were uprooted. Balen’s Rashtriya Swatantra Party is on the way to a big victory. There is natural curiosity in India about Nepal’s elections and the new government there. How is Balen’s thinking so far regarding India-Nepal relations? A look.
Nepal’s instability made Balen’s path easier
Balen, who reached Nepal after obtaining M.Tech. degree from Visvesvaraya Technical University, Karnataka, made his place among the youth of Nepal through songs as a rapper. Instead of joining any traditional political party, he decided to run as an independent candidate to become the mayor of Kathmandu in 2022. This post was not so big that it could become a source of national identity of a person. But through the popularity he gained as a rapper and his anti-corruption songs and speeches, he soon became a vocal youth voice of protest against the system in Nepal. The ongoing political instability in Nepal also helped in Balen’s success.
Balen Shah.
Since the implementation of the new Constitution in 2015, governments have been formed and disintegrated in quick succession. There was a sharp rise in corruption. Public problems increased. The youth became angry. Was looking for an alternative. There was a search for such a face who could give assurance of change.
Old party leaders were rejected in the elections
Monarchy ended in Nepal in 2008. Democracy was established. People got the right to choose the government of their choice. But no party could gain a clear majority in the elections. During the period of coalition governments, fourteen governments were formed within seventeen years. These governments could not provide stability to the country. With the formation and fall of successive governments, the situation worsened. Corruption, inflation and unemployment went out of control. Nepal kept getting trapped in the whirlpool of problems. This resulted in the widespread violence of the Gen-Z movement of 2025, which devastated much of Nepal. The Sushila Karki-led interim government, which came into existence after the dismissal of the Oli government, conducted elections as promised. The message of the results is that the anger of the people towards the old parties and leaders of Nepal during the movement remains intact.
Challenges after victory become more difficult
There is every possibility that the leadership of the new government of Nepal will be in the hands of Balen Shah. Voters have great expectations from Balen Shah who is riding the wave of change. Balen had rejected the leadership of the interim government in the name of taking part in the elections. Why? Overturning the government through movements is a victory for the agitators. But this victory also brings with it challenges.
The new government faces the challenge of converting the failures of the ousted government into success. There is a responsibility to turn those dreams into reality, which bring people to the streets. After coming to power immediately, it becomes more difficult to bring back on track the system that had collapsed during the movement.
The time passed during the interim government is like a safety valve for Balen. But the challenges ahead are also very difficult. Whatever Balen will be able to do in Nepal, he will also need India’s support. The question is what will be their attitude towards India? What has Balen been thinking and saying about India so far in his short but enthusiastic political journey?
There will be no less challenges before Balen Shah.
opposition to india in every talk
Balen has been saying on many occasions that Nepal should adopt a policy independent from the influence of big powers. He often criticized India on political platforms. In a Facebook post in 2025, he expressed anger at big powers including India, China and America. His supporters promoted an expanded map of Nepal, which also shows Indian territories. Also hung it in his office as mayor.
He is also among those who raised voice against the Sugauli Treaty of 1806. India and Nepal have bread-and-daughter relations. There are most followers of Hindu religion there. The shared religious-cultural unity of both the countries has a centuries-old history. Balen does not like this shared identity.
In a dialogue in a Bollywood film Adipurush, Balen was infuriated by Mother Sita being called the daughter of India and he even demanded a ban on the screening of Indian films in Nepal. In reality, India’s so-called Big Brother role in India-Nepal relations remains a matter of debate in Nepal. The forces fueling anti-India sentiments in Nepal have been spreading the notion that India interferes in Nepal’s internal affairs. Along with opposing the system, Balen Shah has been inciting anti-India sentiments to shine his nationalist image.
Nepal.
Anti-India statements are a source of popularity in domestic politics
For some time now, the communist governments of Nepal have been giving preference to China? What will be Balen’s attitude? Is Balen Shah anti-India? It is too early to form any opinion on this issue. In the domestic politics of Nepal, many leaders there have been trying to gain popularity by making anti-India statements.
Nepal has also been adopting the policy of balance between India and China. Till now, issues like anti-corruption, employment opportunities and administrative reforms have been the main priorities of the new generation coming to power. Till now foreign policy was at the back on his agenda.
India’s cooperation necessary for Nepal’s development
To understand what will be the attitude of the new government of Nepal towards India, it has to be remembered that India cannot be ignored in the issues of Nepal’s economy, trade and employment. No stable government there would want a conflict with India.
It is possible that Balen may make tough statements in public to maintain his nationalist image, but in practice he may intensify efforts to promote trade with India. They can also follow the policy of maintaining balance between China and India. Since the abolition of the monarchy, Nepal has gone through a period of continuous instability. First through the Gen-Z movement and then through elections, the people there have rejected the old leaders and parties. Voters have given the opportunity to the new generation to move forward with the hope that through a stable and dynamic government, they will take Nepal on the path of development in an environment of peace and harmony. Surely India can be very helpful in this. Balen is not unaware of this ground reality.
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