The counting of votes for the general elections in Nepal is going on at a fast pace. So far, based on the trends, it is being estimated that the Rashtriya Swatantra Party will touch the majority figure. Because the condition of other parties is very weak. It is expected that for the first time a young Balen Shah can become the Prime Minister. There is no one even far away in front of him. This will be the first time for Nepal when a youth will reach the post of Prime Minister. For the first time a Madhesi can become the PM of Nepal.
Nepal’s democracy is still young, hence Balen Shah will face many challenges as the new PM. Because the geniality with which Balen Shah has suddenly emerged in the politics of Nepal as the Mayor of Kathmandu is praiseworthy but this same point will also pose challenges to him.
The word Madhesi has suddenly come into discussion after Balen Shah’s name surfaced as a PM contender. Come, let us know who are Madheshis, Balen Shah comes from this community.
Nepal’s Madhesi, identity, struggle and future politics
The word ‘Madhesi’ is a very important and sensitive identity in the politics and social structure of Nepal. In recent years, the increasing popularity of Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah and discussions about him becoming Prime Minister in the future has given a new turn to this discussion. The geographical structure of Nepal is mainly divided into three parts. Himalayas, mountains and lowlands. The area of Terai which is adjacent to the border of India is called ‘Madhesh’ and the people living here are called ‘Madheshi’. This means that the Nepali area adjacent to the border of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar etc. is called Madhesh.
There is Madhesi Commission in Nepal to protect the rights of Madhesi community.
Who are Madheshi?
The origin of the word Madheshi is believed to be from central country. It is a linguistic, cultural and geographical identity. The Madhesi community consists of various castes and religions, including Yadavs, Muslims, Brahmins, Bhumihars, Dalits and others. Their languages are mainly Maithili, Bhojpuri, Bajjika, Awadhi and Urdu. Historically the Madhesi community has deep cultural and family ties with India. India also has a bread-and-butter relationship with this community. For this reason, Nepal’s Pahari ruling class long showed skepticism in accepting Madhesis as full Nepalese, leading to a feeling of neglect and alienation in this community.
Balen Shah.
Madhesh movement changed the politics of Nepal
The Madhesh movements in 2006-2007 and then in 2015 completely changed the politics of Nepal. These movements focused on simplification of citizenship rules, proportional representation in government services and army and recognition of Madhesh as an empowered province in the federal structure. These struggles resulted in Nepal becoming a secular and federal republic, but a large section of Madhesis still feel that they have not been given the rights they are entitled to in the Constitution.
Rise of the new wave in the form of Balen Shah
Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen Shah, is a structural engineer by profession and a famous rapper. His victory as Mayor of Kathmandu Municipal Corporation in the local elections of 2022 surprised the entire Nepal. By defeating the candidates of established political parties AML, Congress and Maoist, he proved that the Nepali people are now tired of traditional politics. Balen Shah’s roots are from Mahattari district of Madhesh region, but he was brought up and educated in Kathmandu. That is why they represent a hybrid identity that can bridge the gap between Pahar and Madhesh.
Meet Nepal’s next Prime Minister, rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah.
The first real Gen-Z PM of the country whose RS Party has won record seats.
His anti-India statements are very famous in Nepal, he even wanted Bollywood banned in the country.
— Monica Verma (@TrulyMonica) March 6, 2026
Will Balen Shah become the first Madhesi Prime Minister?
All the Prime Ministers who have been there in Nepal till now have mainly been of hill origin. Leaders of Madhesi origin have reached the post of Deputy Prime Minister or important ministries, but reaching the PM’s chair has always been a challenge for them. Even though Balen Shah’s roots are related to Madhesh area, he is not the only leader of Madheshis. His appeal lies among Nepal’s urban youth, the tech-savvy generation and those who want corruption-free governance. Balen Shah is emerging as the new face of nationalism. Young Nepal loves them. Balen has often raised Nepali nationalism prominently in the election campaign. The steps he took to remove encroachment in Kathmandu and save cultural heritage have given him the image of a strong leader. This image does not limit him to just a regional leader. If Balen Shah becomes PM, he can be the first leader whom the people of Terai will accept as their own because his origin is there and the people of the hills will accept him as modern and progressive.
Challenges are no less
In the situation that seems to be emerging now, Balen Shah seems to be easily getting the post of Prime Minister. But the challenges begin ahead. Nepal’s geopolitics and internal ethnic equations are extremely complex. However, the National Independent Party, whose candidate he won, is fast moving towards majority. But everyone has political ambitions. It will be a big challenge to completely eliminate the prejudices that exist in the hill community regarding Madhesi identity. Traditional parties of Madhesh may see Balen as a threat to their vote bank. However, Balen Shah has shown that if there is the will to work, then politics of change can be done by rising above identity politics. But, they still have to prove it.
Balen can bridge the gap between mountains and Madhesh
Nepal is going through a transition period. The Madhesi community is no longer just a group demanding rights, but it aspires to the leadership of the country. Balen Shah is a symbol of this new aspiration. If he becomes Prime Minister, it will not only be a testament to the maturity of Nepal’s democracy, but will also be a historic step towards bridging the centuries-long Pahad versus Madhesh divide. Nepal today needs a leadership that rises above geography and strengthens the Nepali identity, and Balen Shah seems to be at the forefront of this race.
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