Nepal’s rapper-mayor in pole position to become prime minister

There are no reliable opinion polls ​in Nepal but four political analysts and local media project him as the leading prime ministerial choice, pushing aside the country’s traditional political elite. It would also potentially reshape the politics of Nepal, a small Himalayan nation wedged between China and India, that has long been dominated ⁠by a handful of established parties. These include Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), which is seen as leaning towards China, and the centrist, Nepali Congress that is considered closer to India.

Balen’s Rastriya Swatantra ⁠Party (RSP) is a centrist newcomer, which has said in its election manifesto it will maintain “balanced foreign relations” with its giant neighbours. Some of Shah’s nationwide appeal is driven by the work he has done as the mayor of Kathmandu, where he focused on improving the urban infrastructure, such ​as waste management, and ensuring the delivery of services like healthcare. He ⁠has also faced criticism, including from Human Rights Watch, for allegedly using police to seize the properties of street vendors and landless people.

Shah — who resigned as mayor in January to contest the general election — did not respond to requests for an interview ⁠and questions from Reuters sent via email. Unlike ​much of Nepal’s political elite comprising veterans from older generations, Shah has made it a habit to largely shun the ​mainstream press.