Post by : Shakul

Kathmandu — Early vote counting in Nepal’s general election has placed the party led by former rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah ahead of its rivals, signalling a potential political shift in the Himalayan nation.

Preliminary trends released by Nepal’s election authorities show the Rastriya Swatantra Party, founded only three years ago, leading in 37 parliamentary seats during the early stages of counting. In comparison, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), led by former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli, was leading in just a few constituencies. Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress, headed by Gagan Thapa, showed early leads in several seats.

Nepal’s parliament consists of 275 members, with 165 seats decided through direct elections and the remaining 110 allocated through proportional representation. Officials expect clearer results to emerge once counting progresses further.

Shah, popularly known by his stage name Balen, rose to national prominence after winning the Kathmandu mayoral election in 2022 as an independent candidate. His campaign in the national elections attracted large crowds and significant online support, particularly from younger voters demanding political reform and transparency.

The election comes after a turbulent period in Nepal’s politics. Last year, widespread protests—driven largely by youth groups and sparked by a controversial social media ban—led to clashes with security forces and ultimately forced the resignation of Oli’s government.

Political analysts say the strong early performance by Shah’s party reflects growing frustration among voters over long-standing issues such as unemployment, corruption and economic stagnation in the country of nearly 30 million people.

Situated between India and China, Nepal has struggled with frequent government changes for decades. If the early trends continue, Shah’s party could emerge as a major political force and reshape the country’s political landscape.

#world news #Global News #Asia News