"elevation."

#13381035

28 February 2026

Cadres and supporters of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) take part in a road show in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, as the Prime Ministerial candidate from the party, Balen (Balendra) Shah, starts campaigning in the capital. The rapper-turned-mayor resigns from his post on January 18 to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper, who wins the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital, also assumes the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen, standing in the fray from Jhapa and against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a road show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from a moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 shapes up to be an intriguing contest this time.

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#13381036

28 February 2026

Party members and candidates from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) wait for Balen (Balendra) Shah at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, as he starts his campaign in the national capital ahead of the polls for the House of Representatives set for March 5, 2026. The rapper turned mayor on January 18 resigns from his post to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper who wins the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital also assumes the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close with polling set for March 5. Balen stands in the fray from Jhapa, standing against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a roadshow. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from the moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement.

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#13381037

28 February 2026

Party members and candidates from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) wait for Balen (Balendra) Shah at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, as he starts his campaign in the national capital ahead of the polls for the House of Representatives set for March 5, 2026. The rapper turned mayor on January 18 resigns from his post to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper who wins the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital also assumes the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close with polling set for March 5. Balen stands in the fray from Jhapa, standing against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a roadshow. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from the moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement.

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#13381038

28 February 2026

Pukar Bam, a candidate from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), waits outside the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, for Balen (Balendra) Shah, who is presented as the Prime Ministerial candidate in the upcoming House of Representatives election. The rapper turned mayor resigns from his post on January 18 to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper, who wins the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital, also assumes the role of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Prime Minister of Nepal, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen, standing in the fray from Jhapa against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a roadshow. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from a moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement.

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#13381039

28 February 2026

Toshima Karki, a candidate from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), waits outside the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, for Balen (Balendra) Shah, the former Kathmandu Mayor and Prime Ministerial candidate for the upcoming House of Representatives election. The rapper-turned-mayor resigned from his post on January 18 to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper, who won the local election of 2022 in the Nepali capital, also assumes the role of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Prime Minister of Nepal, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen, standing in the fray from Jhapa against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a roadshow. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from a moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns across the nation as his party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), agreeing that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement.

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#13381040

28 February 2026

Former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane gestures as he takes part in the election campaign in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026. The rapper turned mayor on January 18 resigns from his post to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper who wins the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital also assumes the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen stands in the fray from Jhapa, standing against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a road-show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from the moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 shapes up to be an intriguing contest this time.

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#13381041

28 February 2026

Former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane gestures as he takes part in the election campaign in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026. The rapper turned mayor on January 18 resigns from his post to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper who wins the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital also assumes the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen stands in the fray from Jhapa, standing against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a road-show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from the moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 shapes up to be an intriguing contest this time.

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#13381042

28 February 2026

Balen (Balendra) Shah, former Kathmandu Mayor and rapper, is projected as the next Nepali Prime Minister. He arrives at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, as he starts campaigning in the capital. The rapper turned mayor resigns from his post on January 18 to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper, who wins the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital, also assumes the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen stands in the fray from Jhapa, standing against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a road-show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from a moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 shapes up to be an intriguing contest this time.

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#13381043

28 February 2026

Balen (Balendra) Shah, former Kathmandu Mayor and rapper, is projected as the next Nepali Prime Minister. He arrives at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, as he starts campaigning in the capital. The rapper turned mayor resigns from his post on January 18 to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper, who wins the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital, also assumes the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen stands in the fray from Jhapa, standing against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a road-show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from a moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 shapes up to be an intriguing contest this time.

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#13381044

28 February 2026

Balen (Balendra) Shah, former Kathmandu Mayor and rapper, is projected as the next Nepali Prime Minister. He arrives at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, as he starts campaigning in the capital. The rapper turned mayor resigns from his post on January 18 to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper, who wins the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital, also assumes the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen stands in the fray from Jhapa, standing against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a road-show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from a moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 shapes up to be an intriguing contest this time.

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#13381045

28 February 2026

Balen (Balendra) Shah, former Kathmandu Mayor and rapper, is projected as the next Nepali Prime Minister. He takes part in a road show in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, as he starts campaigning in the capital. The rapper turned mayor resigned from his post on January 18 to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper, who won the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital, also assumes the role of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen, standing in the fray from Jhapa against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a road show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from a moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 shapes up to be an intriguing contest this time.

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#13381046

28 February 2026

Balen (Balendra) Shah, former Kathmandu Mayor and rapper, projects as the next Nepali Prime Minister and gestures during a road show in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, as he starts campaigning in the capital. The rapper turned mayor on January 18 resigns from his post to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper, who wins the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital, also assumes the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen stands in the fray from Jhapa, standing against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a road show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from the moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 shapes up to be an intriguing contest this time.

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#13381047

28 February 2026

Balen (Balendra) Shah, former Kathmandu Mayor and rapper, is projected as the next Nepali Prime Minister. He takes part in a road show in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, as he starts campaigning in the capital. The rapper turned mayor resigned from his post on January 18 to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper, who won the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital, also assumes the role of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen, standing in the fray from Jhapa against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a road show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from a moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 shapes up to be an intriguing contest this time.

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#13381048

28 February 2026

Balen (Balendra) Shah, former Kathmandu Mayor and rapper, is projected as the next Nepali Prime Minister. He takes part in a road show in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, as he starts campaigning in the capital. The rapper turned mayor resigned from his post on January 18 to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper, who won the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital, also assumes the role of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen, standing in the fray from Jhapa against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a road show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from a moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 shapes up to be an intriguing contest this time.

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#13381049

28 February 2026

Balen (Balendra) Shah, former Kathmandu Mayor and rapper, is projected as the next Nepali Prime Minister. He takes part in a road show in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026, as he starts campaigning in the capital. The rapper turned mayor resigned from his post on January 18 to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper, who won the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital, also assumes the role of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen, standing in the fray from Jhapa against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a road show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from a moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 shapes up to be an intriguing contest this time.

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#13381050

28 February 2026

Former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane gestures as he takes part in the election campaign in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 28, 2026. The rapper turned mayor on January 18 resigns from his post to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper who wins the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital also assumes the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swantra Party (RSP) on the same day. Projected as the next Nepal Prime Minister, Balendra Shah (Balen) launches a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for March 5. Balen stands in the fray from Jhapa, standing against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and launches the campaign in Kathmandu with a road-show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stand on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greets voters from the moving vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from March 2, past midnight. Balen campaigns all across the nation as his party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, is poised to win the election with a landslide victory. On December 28, Balen strikes a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it is agreed that he will be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane continues as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerges as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen promises to institutionalize the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 shapes up to be an intriguing contest this time.

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