A former rapper is contesting Nepal's prime ministerial election

As Nepal prepares for its national elections scheduled for March, a new political alliance has emerged, bringing together two popular figures and signalling a potential shake-up in the country’s traditional political order. Analysts suggest that this coalition could pose a significant challenge to Nepal’s established and historically dominant parties.

On Sunday, 28 December, officials from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) confirmed that Kathmandu Mayor and former rapper Balen (Bendra Shah) has officially joined their alliance. The party is led by former television presenter and politician, Ravi Lamichhane. Under the terms of their agreement, if the RSP secures victory in the 5 March elections, 35-year-old Balen will assume the office of Prime Minister, while 48-year-old Lamichhane will continue as the party’s chief.

Balen first came to public attention in September following a large-scale youth-led protest, where he was recognised as one of the prominent figures behind the movement. He also served in the interim government, led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, overseeing the electoral process. Nevertheless, some critics have questioned Balen’s role during the protests, noting that he was rarely seen in public and primarily communicated with supporters via social media.

Ravi Lamichhane founded the RSP ahead of the 2022 elections and gained popularity as a television presenter campaigning against corruption. Currently, he is out on bail facing allegations of misusing cooperative funds collected from small depositors.

Both leaders have pledged to translate the demands of the September protests into concrete policy, particularly focusing on youth-led anti-corruption initiatives. The protests resulted in 77 fatalities and ultimately led to the resignation of then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

According to the Election Commission, Nepal, with a population of nearly 30 million, has approximately 19 million eligible voters. Following the protests, around 1 million new voters, mostly young, have been added to the electoral roll.

Political analyst Bipin Adhikari noted that traditional parties are concerned about losing the youth vote. Bringing Balen and his young supporters into the RSP is therefore a strategic move for the party.

Over the past three decades, the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) and the centrist Nepali Congress have shared political power. Analysts suggest that this new alliance could present a serious challenge to these entrenched parties. However, Nepali Congress spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat described both Balen and Lamichhane as “controversial” figures, predicting that their alliance’s influence will remain limited and that voters will likely revert to established parties.

Key Figures of RSP Alliance:

This alliance marks one of the most intriguing developments in Nepalese politics in recent years, blending youthful energy with established political strategy.