Balendra Shah, popularly known as “Balen”, is a Nepalese politician, structural engineer, and former rapper who rose to prominence after being elected the Mayor of Kathmandu in 2022. Born on April 27, 1990, in Kathmandu, Shah first gained recognition in Nepal’s hip-hop scene, where his politically charged rap songs often criticised corruption, inequality, and poor governance. His music resonated strongly with younger audiences and helped build his public profile before entering politics.
In the 2022 local elections, Shah contested as an independent candidate and won the mayoral race in Kathmandu, becoming the first independent leader to hold the post. His campaign focused on urban reforms such as improving waste management, traffic control, transparency in municipal governance, and anti-corruption measures.
During his tenure, Shah implemented several urban enforcement drives, including the demolition of illegal structures and efforts to reclaim public land. While some initiatives were praised for addressing long-standing civic issues, others attracted criticism for their strict approach.
Shah resigned as mayor in January 2026 and joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party, signalling a shift toward national politics and positioning himself as a prominent emerging figure in Nepal’s political landscape.
Nepal’s new Prime Minister Balen Shah has hit the ground running. Within hours of taking oath, his government launched raids, arrested top leaders including former PM KP Sharma Oli, and rolled out a sweeping 100-point agenda.
Nepal’s new Prime Minister Balendra Shah has often taken sharp positions against India
Following the political churn that led to the resignation of K. P. Sharma Oli in 2025, the 35-year-old Balen Shah is now set to lead Nepal.
Former Kathmandu mayor Balen Shah has resigned his post, launched his campaign in Janakpur speaking in Maithili.
Ahead of Nepal’s 2026 elections, two PM hopefuls — Kathmandu’s rapper-mayor Balen Shah and Dharan’s social worker Harka Sampang — are invoking Yalambar.
Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki is likely to take oath as the head of an interim government in Nepal at 8:45 pm today, according to sources.
In Nepal, the political landscape is marked by uncertainty following a youth-led uprising that resulted in the government's resignation.
The big focus of this episode of India First is on the escalating political crisis in Nepal, triggered by a youth-led 'Gen Z revolution' that has resulted in widespread chaos and the ouster of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Balendra Shah, also known as Balen, a rapper who became the independent mayor of Kathmandu in 2022, who has won significant youth support for his anti-corruption stance. He has been a vocal critic of the old guard.
Nepal’s Gen Z is out on the streets, protesting against the government’s crackdown and urging Kathmandu mayor Balen Shah to lead them.
In this episode, #FirstThingsFast shifts its focus to Kathmandu, where Balen Shah, the 35-year-old mayor of two years, is being credited with efforts to transform Nepal's capital.
