Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old former rapper and mayor of Kathmandu, has taken charge as Nepal’s Prime Minister. His swearing-in on Friday marks a major political shift for the country.
He is now the youngest leader in recent times. He is also the first person from the Madhesi community of the southern plains to hold this top position.
Massive Election Victory Paves the Way
Shah’s rise follows a strong electoral win by his party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party. The party, which is only three years old, secured 182 out of 275 seats in Parliament during the March 5 elections.
These elections came after a period of unrest. In September last year, youth-led anti-corruption protests shook the country. The protests turned violent, leading to 76 deaths and the fall of the previous government.
A New Political Era Begins
At the swearing-in ceremony held at the President House, Shah stood out with his unique style. He wore a black Nepali cap, sunglasses, a matching jacket, and slim trousers.
His leadership signals a generational shift in Nepal. The country, located between India and China, has long been led by older political figures.
Political analyst Puranjan Acharya said people expect quick action from the new government. He noted, “The first test of the new government lies in transparent and prompt delivery of services to people, who expect early signs of good governance from Sunday itself.”
Key Challenge: Justice After Protests
One of Shah’s biggest tasks is to deal with the aftermath of last year’s protests. A government panel has already submitted its report. It has recommended legal action against those responsible for the deaths.
The report also names former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
Acharya explained that acting on this report will be an early test for Shah. Families of those who died are demanding justice.
The protests were driven by serious issues. These include lack of jobs and deep-rooted corruption. Due to this, around 1,500 Nepalis leave the country every day in search of work.
Global Support and Regional Focus
The change in leadership has drawn attention from across the region. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first leaders to congratulate Shah.
He said, “Warm congratulations to Mr. Balendra Shah on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal. Your appointment reflects the trust reposed in your leadership by the people of Nepal. I look forward to working closely with you to take India-Nepal friendship and cooperation to even greater heights for the mutual benefit of our two peoples.”
Warm congratulations to Mr. Balendra Shah on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 27, 2026
Your appointment reflects the trust reposed in your leadership by the people of Nepal. I look forward to working closely with you to take India-Nepal friendship and cooperation to even…
Breaking Political Instability
Shah now faces the difficult task of bringing stability to Nepal’s politics. Since 1990, the country has seen 32 different governments. No government has completed a full five-year term.
Major parties have weakened in the latest election. The Nepali Congress won only 38 seats, while Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) secured just 25.
With a strong majority, Shah now has a clear mandate. He aims to push economic growth and bring stability for Nepal’s 30 million people.