Meet Balen Shah, the Rapper Turned Politician Leading Nepal's PM Race
Image Source: Internet
Nepal's first general election since a Gen Z-led uprising in September last year has brought a fresh group of young candidates, including rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, to the forefront.
The 35-year-old, popular among Nepal's Gen Z, is seen as the frontrunner for the prime minister's post.
Shah, who served as the mayor of Kathmandu for three years, is now leading the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in the election.
His party has promised to create 1.2 million jobs, reduce forced migration, and increase Nepal's per capita income from $1,447 to $3,000.
Shah's rise to prominence began with his music, which often targeted Nepal's ruling class and connected with many people in a country where around 20% of the 30 million population lives in severe poverty.
He officially entered politics when he contested the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate, using the campaign slogan 'Time for change.'
Shah has more than 3.5 million followers on social media, where he connects directly with young Nepalis.
