Rapper to Ruler: Balendra Shah Balen becomes Nepal’s youngest PM

Balendra Shah 'Balen' was appointed Prime Minister of Nepal on Friday, becoming the youngest leader to hold the nation’s top executive post.

The 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician and parliamentary leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is also the first prime minister from the Madhes region.


President Ramchandra Paudel appointed Balen under Article 76 (1) of the Constitution, and will administer the oath of office and secrecy at Sheetal Niwas at 12:34 pm.

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The swearing-in ceremony will blend Hindu and Buddhist traditions, including conch blowing by seven Brahmins, Vedic hymns by 108 young Brahmins, and Buddhist scripture recitation by 107 Lamas.

Balen is expected to form a small cabinet of 15 to 18 ministers. His RSP secured 182 of 275 seats in the House of Representatives, enabling a majority government.

In a historic upset, Balen defeated four-time Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli in Jhapa-5, a longtime stronghold of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML).

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This marks the first general elections since last year’s Gen Z-led protests calling for generational change and a corruption-free government, signaling a major shift in Nepal’s political landscape.

(With inputs from PTI)