Nepal is heading to its first election since last year's protests, and a new contender has emerged: Balen Shah, the 35-year-old rapper and former mayor of Kathmandu. Shah, also known as Balen, is contesting the parliamentary elections from Jhapa-5, a seat about 300km southeast of Kathmandu, against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Balen's rise to fame began in 2013 when he won a popular rap battle in Nepal, called Raw Barz. He then transitioned into politics, winning the mayoral election in Kathmandu in 2022. As mayor, he was known for his unconventional style and willingness to take on entrenched political patronage networks.
According to Pranaya Rana, a journalist who writes for the Kalam Weekly newsletter, Balen represents a breath of fresh air in a country where more than 40 percent of the population is under the age of 35, but where the leadership of all major parties is in its 70s. Rana told Al Jazeera, "Young Nepalis see him as a decisive actor, who is not beholden to traditional political or business interests."
Background
Balen was born in 1990 in Kathmandu. His father, Ram Narayan Shah, was a government practitioner of ayurveda. Balen graduated with a civil engineering degree from Himalayan Whitehouse International College in Kathmandu and received a postgraduate degree in structural engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University in Karnataka, India.
As a rapper, Balen's songs have become the soundtrack to the efforts by Nepal's Gen Z to reshape the country's politics. One song, Nepal Haseko (Nepal Smiling), became an anthem during last year's protests, and already has more than 10 million views on YouTube.
Controversies
Balen has been involved in several controversies, including a incident where he was seen driving an expensive Land Rover Defender worth 40 million Nepali rupees ($275,000) while campaigning in Jhapa 5. Critics accused him of a lack of transparency over the vehicle's ownership and use.
In another instance, Balen banned the screening of Indian films in Kathmandu, alleging that an Indian movie had suggested that Sita, one of Hinduism's most revered goddesses, was born in India. In fact, she was born in present-day Nepal according to Hindu scriptures.
Support Base
Despite the controversies, Balen has a significant support base among young Nepalis. Aayal Sah, a 20-year-old first-time voter, told Al Jazeera, "I cannot directly vote for Balen as he is not contesting from our area, but I'll surely vote for his party." Sah added, "It's the trust he has gained among the young people. He is the only one who can take the country forward."
As Nepal heads to the polls, Balen's candidacy has generated significant interest. While some question his ability to lead the country, others see him as a breath of fresh air in a country looking for change.
Source: Al Jazeera
