Balen Shah: From Rapper to PM Contender, Reshaping Nepal's Political Landscape

• Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, a former rapper and independent disruptor, has joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) for Nepal's March 5 parliamentary elections.
• Shah is projected as the prime ministerial candidate if RSP wins, with party founder Rabi Lamichhane remaining chief.
• The alliance leverages public anger against traditional politics and aims to consolidate anti-incumbency sentiment, attracting young voters.
• Balen's unconventional rise from underground hip-hop to Kathmandu Mayor and now a national PM candidate challenges Nepal's established political elite.
• This strategic move by RSP, combining Balen's visibility and youth appeal, signals a potential three-way political contest in Nepal amid economic uncertainty.

Why It Matters: Balen Shah's alliance with RSP marks a significant shift, challenging Nepal's traditional politics with a new generation's voice.