Credited from: REUTERS
In a landmark election, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by Balendra Shah, a rapper turned politician, has achieved a significant victory, securing 182 seats in Nepal's 275-member House of Representatives, the Election Commission confirmed. This election held on March 5 is the first since the youth-led protests in September 2025 that resulted in the ousting of the previous government, showcasing a strong demand for political change among Nepal's younger population, which constitutes a large portion of voters, according to BBC and Los Angeles Times.
The RSP garnered 125 seats directly and an additional 57 seats through proportional representation, narrowly missing a two-thirds majority by just two seats. The biggest upset was the defeat of long-time political leader KP Sharma Oli, whose party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), finished third with only 25 seats, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.
The elections reflected a significant shift in the political landscape, driven by prior unrest that began over a government-imposed social media ban but grew into widespread protests against deep-seated issues of corruption and socio-economic despair. This context contributed significantly to the RSP's rise to power, as voters sought representatives who resonated with their frustrations, as detailed by Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.
Shah's emergence as a leader symbolizes a changing political narrative in a nation historically led by older political figures. His victory is not only a personal achievement but also reflects a broader cultural shift, inviting promises of a government focused on creating jobs and combating corruption, as articulated by sources including Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.