Nepal's rapper-led centrist party heads for poll landslide

From mayor to PM contender, Balendra's victory over Oli shakes Nepali politics

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Rastriya Swatantra Party candidate Balendra Shah (centre) collects the certificate following his win in the parliamentary elections at Jhapa district, Nepal, on Saturday.

(AFP)

Nepal's centrist RSP party of rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah had secured a majority in the direct parliamentary elections, partial official results showed yesterday, and was heading for a landslide, according to official trends.

The 35-year-old's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was also leading in the proportional representation vote, according to results declared and election commission trends.

The vote was the first since deadly September 2025 youth anti-corruption protests toppled the government.