The rapper who railed against corruption now set to be Nepal’s new leader
CNN
Before he dismantled Nepal’s political elite, Balendra Shah was destroying his opponents in underground rap battles.
Before he dismantled Nepal’s political elite, Balendra Shah was destroying his opponents in underground rap battles.
More than a decade ago, armed with a microphone and his signature sunglasses, he spat verses about Kathmandu’s corruption, its broken roads, and social inequality. Those in power dismissed it as noise, but the country’s young people were listening.
Today, the kids who streamed his music have grown up; and in nationwide elections last week, they handed the 35-year-old the keys to the country.
Shah, widely known as Balen, is on track to become the Himalayan nation’s next prime minister after youth-led protests toppled the previous government. His Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has made history, securing the largest mandate in Nepal’s modern electoral era.
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Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah’s party gained leads in early counting in Nepal’s general election, far outpacing his other rivals, including the country’s former prime minister who was forced to resign after a historic youth-led uprising last year.