Balen Shah Sworn In as Nepal’s Youngest Prime Minister After Historic Landslide Victory

In a dramatic shift in Nepal’s political landscape, Balendra Shah has reportedly been sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister, following a sweeping electoral victory by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

The appointment, made by President Ram Chandra Paudel, marks a historic moment, as Shah becomes the youngest Prime Minister in Nepal’s history at just 35. He also becomes the first leader of Madheshi origin to hold the nation’s highest executive office.

Landslide Mandate Reshapes Politics

The RSP secured a commanding majority in the March 2026 general elections, winning 182 out of 275 सीटों in the House of Representatives. This near-supermajority represents one of the most decisive electoral outcomes in recent decades and signals a strong public mandate for political change.

Shah himself delivered a landmark victory in Jhapa Constituency No. 5, defeating former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli by a margin of over 49,000 votes—one of the largest ever recorded in Nepal.

From Engineer and Rapper to National Leader

Before entering national politics, Shah built a unique public profile as a structural engineer and socially conscious rapper. He rose to prominence as the Mayor of Kathmandu (2022–2026), where his governance style and anti-corruption stance attracted strong youth support.

His ascent to power has been closely linked to the mass protests of 2025, driven largely by younger generations demanding transparency, accountability, and systemic reform.

Transition from Interim Government

Shah succeeds interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who had been leading a transitional administration since September 2025. Her government came into place following the resignation of Oli amid widespread anti-corruption demonstrations.