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Rapper-Turned-Mayor Balen Shah Launches PM Bid in Nepal Election Roadshow

Former Kathmandu mayor and rapper Balendra Shah has launched his campaign for Prime Minister with a major roadshow in the capital. He is contesting from the Jhapa constituency against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Shah resigned from his mayoral post in January to contest the March 5 election as the prime ministerial candidate for the Rastriya Swatantra Party. The party has agreed that party chairman Rabi Lamichhane will remain in that role while Shah becomes the parliamentary leader and PM candidate if they succeed.

Key Points: Balen Shah Launches PM Campaign in Kathmandu Ahead of Nepal Polls

  • Former rapper & mayor running for PM
  • Campaign launched with massive Kathmandu roadshow
  • Contested from Jhapa against ex-PM Oli
  • Resigned as mayor to contest national election
2 min read

Balen Shah, former rapper and mayor, vying for PM, launches campaign in Kathmandu as election draws close

Former rapper and mayor Balendra Shah, vying for Prime Minister, launches a major Kathmandu campaign rally with Rabi Lamichhane ahead of the March 5 election.

"He is projected as the Prime Minister by all age group - Ambika BK, Kathmandu resident"

Kathmandu, February 28

Former rapper and mayor Balendra Shah, vying for PM, has launched a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for Thursday.

Balen, standing in the fray from the Jhapa in the March 5 election, against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, launched the campaign in Kathmandu with a road show.

Hundreds of supporters and voters stood on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greeted voters from the sun-roof of the vehicle.

The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from Monday past midnight.

"The campaign has drawn an enormous crowd as Balen (Balendra) Shah and Rabi Lamichhane came for the campaign. It brought more people than any other political gathering. This has further increased the election fever," Sitaram Tiwari, a resident of Sankhu, Kathmandu, told ANI.

Balen had been campaigning across the nation for his party Rastriya Swatantra Party.

The rapper turned mayor on January 18 had resigned from his post to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper who won the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital also assumed the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swantra Party (RSP) on the same day.

"He (Balen) had been living up to his promises than other parties and those in power. The construction of roads, water, and other infrastructures as well as I am expecting him to create more job opportunities and bring a wave of change; he is projected as the Prime Minister by all age group," Ambika BK, a resident of Kathmandu, told ANI.

On December 28, Balen had struck a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it was agreed that he would be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party.

As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane will continue as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate.

The RSP had emerged as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment.

Balen has promised to institutionalise the agenda raised by the September Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 is shaping up to be an intriguing contest this time.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While his energy is commendable, I hope he has solid policy experience. Being a good mayor of a city is very different from running a country, especially one with complex challenges like Nepal. The transition needs more than just popularity.
P
Priya S
This is the Gen-Z effect! Young leaders with fresh ideas are challenging the status quo everywhere. Balen Shah connecting with the youth agenda is a lesson for our own politicians here in India who are often out of touch.
V
Vikram M
Good for Nepal's democracy. A stable and prosperous Nepal is in India's interest too. Hope whoever wins focuses on development and strengthens the historical ties between our countries. The roadshow crowd looks massive!
R
Rohit P
Resigning as mayor to contest for PM shows real commitment. Not many politicians give up a secure position. Hope he delivers on infrastructure and jobs if he wins. Nepal needs that development push.
K
Kavya N
The article mentions the Gen-Z movement agenda. It's crucial that new leaders actually institutionalize these demands for transparency and accountability, not just use them for votes. Let's see if he walks the talk.

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