Balendra Shah, also known as Balen, a former rapper, has won the Jhapa 5 constituency against KP Sharma Oli, the former prime minister of Nepal. Shah previously served as the mayor of Kathmandu until January.
Who is Balendra Shah?
Shah’s songs have been a prominent feature of his campaign and have been heavily critical of Nepal’s political elite.
The 35-year-old was in office as mayor during protests that led to the current election. He joined the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) late last year.
Shah has largely avoided engaging with the press, declining to answer questions from reporters on multiple occasions. Critics suggest this strategy allows him to avoid public scrutiny of his record.
During his time as mayor, Shah faced criticism from rights groups for the use of police force against street vendors as he worked to clear roads and address unlicensed businesses in the capital.
Shah’s campaign has not responded to requests for comment.
Read more about Balendra Shah here.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
