Rapper-turned politician Balendra Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party is set for a landslide victory in Nepal's general elections, securing a two-thirds majority. Former prime minister KP Sharma Oli has lost his home turf, Jhapa-5, to Shah.
Shah's RSP is leading in 108 seats, far ahead of its rivals Nepali Congress and CPN-UML. The party's win in Kathmandu-1 and Kathmandu-3 constituencies has been particularly notable, with Ranju Darshana and Raju Nath Pandey emerging victorious.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the former Prime Minister and Nepali Communist Party coordinator, has won the Rukum East seat, marking his fifth consecutive term.
Shah's nationwide appeal is driven by his work as the mayor of Kathmandu, where he focused on improving urban infrastructure. His youth connect and social media presence have also contributed to his popularity.
The RSP manifesto has vowed to create 1.2 million jobs and reduce forced migration, addressing frustration over unemployment and low wages.
This election marks the first since the Gen Z protests in September, which forced Prime Minister Oli to step down despite his coalition's near two-thirds majority.
