In a stunning political earthquake, Nepal’s former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has suffered a crushing defeat in the Jhapa-5 constituency. Rising star Balen Shah, the rapper-turned-politician and former Kathmandu mayor from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), trounced him by a massive margin of 49,614 votes. With vote counting still underway, early trends show RSP surging ahead in 165 seats, signaling a potential seismic shift in Nepal’s power landscape.
Shah secured an impressive 68,348 votes, dwarfing Oli’s tally of just 18,734. This victory marks a remarkable turnaround for the seat, where Oli had triumphed in both 2017 and 2022 elections. The result, announced by Nepal’s Election Commission, has captivated the nation and bolstered RSP’s momentum.
Balen Shah, born into a Madhesi family in Kathmandu’s Naradevi, rose from grassroots activism to national prominence. A former mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City until his resignation in January 2026, Shah first gained fame after leading relief efforts following the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. His music career as a rapper, songwriter, and producer kicked off in 2012, blending artistry with social commentary.
Initially aligned with Bibeksheel Party, Shah won the 2022 Kathmandu mayoral race as an independent before joining RSP late in 2025. RSP has already anointed him as their prime ministerial candidate, and this emphatic win positions him as a frontrunner for higher office. Oli, chairman of CPN-UML, had previously defeated Nepali Congress’s Khagendra Adhikari by 28,576 votes in 2022.
As RSP eyes broader gains, Shah’s upset underscores growing voter frustration with establishment figures. Analysts predict this could reshape Nepal’s coalition politics, with young, independent voices challenging veteran leaders. The full implications will unfold as results pour in, but one thing is clear: Balen Shah is Nepal’s new political force.