Balen, a former rapper and engineer who rose to prominence as the mayor of Kathmandu, represents the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which secured a decisive electoral victory earlier this month
Balendra Shah. Pic/AFP
Balendra Shah, popularly known as ‘Balen’, was sworn in as Nepal’s 47th Prime Minister on Friday, marking a historic political transition driven by a strong youth mandate. The 35-year-old leader assumed office nearly six months after the previous government led by K P Sharma Oli was ousted following widespread protests, reported news agency PTI.
Balen, a former rapper and engineer who rose to prominence as the mayor of Kathmandu, represents the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which secured a decisive electoral victory earlier this month.
Swearing-In Ceremony Blends Cultural Traditions
The oath-taking ceremony was held at the President’s official residence, Sheetal Niwas, at an auspicious time in the afternoon. The ceremony stood out for its unique blend of religious traditions, incorporating both Hindu and Buddhist rituals.
The proceedings included ceremonial conch blowing by priests, recitation of Vedic hymns by young Brahmins, and chanting of Buddhist scriptures by monks. The event reflected Nepal’s rich cultural and religious diversity, underscoring the symbolic importance of the leadership transition.
Youngest Leader to Assume Office in Nepal
With his swearing-in, Balen Shah becomes the youngest Prime Minister in Nepal’s history and the first leader from the Madhes region to hold the country’s top executive position. He was formally appointed by Ram Chandra Paudel under constitutional provisions earlier in the day, reported PTI.
His rise to power signals a generational shift in Nepalese politics, with younger voters playing a decisive role in reshaping the political landscape.
Landslide Victory Reshapes Political Landscape
The Rastriya Swatantra Party achieved a sweeping victory in the March 5 general elections, winning 182 out of 275 seats in the House of Representatives—well above the majority mark required to form the government.
In a significant upset, Balen defeated former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli in his stronghold constituency, dealing a major blow to established political forces. Traditional parties saw their influence sharply reduced, with the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) securing far fewer seats than in previous elections, reported PTI.
The electoral outcome reflected widespread public dissatisfaction with issues such as corruption, nepotism, and governance, which had earlier sparked large-scale protests led by younger citizens.
Government Formation Underway Amid High Expectations
Following the election results, newly elected members of the House of Representatives were sworn in earlier on Friday at the federal parliament building, formally initiating the process of government formation.
The transition comes after a period of political instability, during which an interim arrangement was in place following the previous government’s exit. With a strong parliamentary majority and a clear public mandate, the new Prime Minister now faces the challenge of delivering on promises of reform and transparency.
(With inputs from PTI)
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