HomeWORLDBalen Shah defeats KP Oli, set to be Nepal PM

Balen Shah defeats KP Oli, set to be Nepal PM

Youth leader Balen Shah defeats veteran KP Sharma Oli in historic Nepal election, paving the way to become youngest prime minister.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
  • Balen Shah defeats veteran leader KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa-5 constituency
  • Rastriya Swatantra Party poised to form government in Nepal
  • Shah likely to become the youngest prime minister in the country’s history

Nepal’s political landscape has witnessed a dramatic shift as Balendra Shah, widely known as Balen Shah, defeated veteran politician K P Sharma Oli in a major electoral upset. The victory positions the youth leader to become the youngest Prime Minister in Nepal’s history.

Shah secured 68,348 votes in the Jhapa-5 constituency, defeating Oli, who received 18,734 votes, according to the Election Commission of Nepal.

Rise of a youth driven political movement

Shah, a structural engineer and former rapper, first gained national attention after winning the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate.

Now representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party, he has emerged as a symbol of youth led political change in Nepal.

Following the announcement of results, Shah celebrated with supporters by touring his constituency in a vehicle, waving to cheering crowds chanting his name.

RSP close to forming government: Balen Shah Nepal Prime Minister

Early results suggest that the Rastriya Swatantra Party has performed strongly nationwide.

According to election officials:

  • The party has already won 59 seats under the First-Past-the-Post system
  • It is currently leading in 62 other constituencies

If confirmed, the party could cross the 138 seat majority mark in Nepal’s 275 member House of Representatives, clearing the path to form the next government.

Party leaders back Shah for premiership

RSP leaders have indicated there is strong internal support for Shah to lead the new government.

Party vice chairperson D P Aryal credited the party’s success to the popularity of its key figures, including Rabi Lamichhane and Balen Shah.

He confirmed that Shah is expected to become the country’s next prime minister once the government formation process begins.

Political shift after unrest

The election comes just six months after massive anti government protests that toppled Oli’s administration. The unrest, which left at least 77 people dead, exposed deep public dissatisfaction with Nepal’s traditional political parties.

Political analyst Chandra Dev Bhatta described the result as a major political turning point.

“This reflects the frustration that has been building up for years. It is a people’s revolt against established parties,” he said.

What happens next

Once the final results are validated, newly elected lawmakers will be sworn in and the process of government formation will begin.

Outgoing Prime Minister Sushila Karki has indicated she is ready to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.

Balen Shah’s sweeping victory over KP Sharma Oli signals a generational shift in Nepal’s politics. If the Rastriya Swatantra Party secures a majority, the Kathmandu mayor turned national leader could soon take office as the youngest prime minister in the country’s history.

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