In the upcoming Nepalese parliamentary elections on March 5, all eyes are on Jhapa-5 constituency where a dramatic showdown is unfolding between former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the rising star Balen Shah. This high-stakes contest has captured national attention, pitting a political veteran against a young disruptor who transitioned from engineer-rapper to mayor and now aspiring lawmaker.
Jhapa-5 holds special significance for Oli, marking his eighth run from this seat since his debut victory 34 years ago. Traditionally, Oli crisscrossed the country rallying support for his Communist Party of Nepal (UML), but this time, the dynamics have shifted dramatically. Local reports indicate that Balen’s candidacy has forced Oli to hunker down in his home turf, curtailing his broader campaign travels.
Balen Shah, elected as Kathmandu’s 15th mayor in May 2022 as an independent, resigned in January this year to contest from Jhapa-5. His upset win challenged Nepal’s entrenched political parties, earning him a reputation as a bold outsider. During last year’s youth-led protests against the Oli-led UML-Nepali Congress coalition government—which saw at least 19 deaths and over 300 injuries—Balen emerged as a symbol for the Gen-Z agitators. His resignation came amid those turbulent times in September 2025.
Active on social media with millions of followers, Balen is known for his sharp critiques and unfiltered opinions. He vocally opposed government bans on platforms, positioning himself as the voice of a frustrated younger generation. His mayoral tenure was marked by clashes with UML, including public spats with Oli that have now escalated into this electoral face-off.
Joining the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Balen has been touted by his party as a potential future prime minister. This race symbolizes the clash between Oli’s old-guard communism and Balen’s fresh, anti-establishment energy. Jhapa-5, long a communist stronghold and Oli’s fortress, saw voter swings in 2023 that could favor the challenger.
With 163,379 registered voters, the outcome here won’t just decide the seat but could redefine both leaders’ trajectories in Nepal’s volatile politics. As campaigns intensify, the battle for Jhapa-5 underscores a generational shift gripping the Himalayan nation.