In Nepal, a former rapper wants to be the next prime minister — and young voters are excited
CBC
The truck carrying Nepali prime ministerial candidate Balendra Shah was swarmed by cheering supporters in the capital, Kathmandu, on Saturday, unable to inch forward as the former rapper, wearing sunglasses and a sleek black suit, danced on top of the roof.
As Nepalis head to the polls on Thursday in the first election since a Gen Z revolution last September toppled the previous government, the campaign of the one-time musician turned Kathmandu mayor has galvanized the electorate, with many young voters hoping Shah will defeat politicians belonging to the South Asian country's old guard.
"He's a modern person and he relates to most of us in our generation," said Sirjana Gaire, a 20-year-old civil engineering student. "He understands how we want the world to see Nepal."
The main political showdown in this election — which could reshape Nepal's politics for years to come — is playing out in the eastern Jhapa district, where the 35-year-old former rapper, known simply as Balen, is facing off against the prime minister ousted by Gen Z protesters last fall.
KP Sharma Oli — who heads the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), known as UML — has been Nepal's prime minister four times and is running again, despite the fact the 74-year-old was forced to resign six months ago, after anger against government corruption, nepotism and economic disparity exploded onto the streets.
The uprising began over a social media ban but tapped into deep-seated frustration with Nepal's political corruption and instability, particularly after security forces met protesters with live fire and tear gas. More than 70 people were killed and hundreds more injured in the two-day revolution that left many of the country's symbols of power, including the parliament building and Supreme Court, charred and burned.
Oli's campaign this time around has been dominated by smaller gatherings with dedicated supporters in his district.
"The Gen Z protesters will not build up our country," said Bishnu Prasad Sedai, 72. "We have to help KP Oli win. We only trust him, we don't trust the other one," he added, referring to Balen.
That sentiment is harder to find in Kathmandu.
Gaire's classmate, Shittal Neupane, told CBC News that Balen's journey from a rapper spitting rhymes criticizing prime ministers to potentially becoming one himself was "amazing." Neupane said that Thursday's vote would have to bring about change or else he and his friends would "be speechless."
"If this time there won't be change, I won't be disappointed [with] any political party or leader — I will be disappointed [in] the citizens of my country," said fellow engineering student Samir Singh, 19.
"Everyone in Nepal is as frustrated as we are."
The enthusiasm for Balen isn't confined to Nepali's younger generation, according to DK Shakya, 72, as he sat chatting with his friends one evening in Lalitpur's Patan Durbar Square, near Kathmandu, before going to the polls.
"We've already seen what the old parties have done for us — nothing," Shakya said. "That's why we will vote for the bell this time," he said, referring to Balen's party by the symbol it uses to help voters identify it on the ballot.
