Balen Shah Becomes Prime Minister, Sudan Gurung Appointed Home Minister

KalimNews, Kathmandu, March 27, 2026 : In a significant political development, former Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen Shah) has been appointed as the Prime Minister of Nepal, marking a new chapter in the country’s leadership.

President Ramchandra Paudel appointed Shah on Friday morning in accordance with Article 76(1) of the Constitution, following his election as the parliamentary party leader of the majority party. Shah’s appointment comes after his party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), secured a majority in the recent parliamentary elections.

Shah was elected to the House of Representatives from Jhapa-5 in the March 5 elections, where he defeated former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli by a wide margin. He secured 68,348 votes compared to Oli’s 18,734, winning by 49,614 votes in a constituency long considered a stronghold of Oli.

Following his appointment, Shah was sworn in at a special ceremony held at the President’s Office, Shital Niwas. President Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy in the presence of senior government officials, political leaders, and members of the diplomatic community, including Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav and Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut.

The ceremony was conducted with traditional elements, including shankhanaad (blowing of conch shells), swastishanti recitations by 108 Batuks, and ashtamangal chanting by Buddhist monks, marking a unique blend of cultural practices.

Soon after taking office, Prime Minister Shah announced a 15 member Cabinet while retaining the Defence and Industry portfolios. Key appointments include Swarnim Wagle as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Sudan Gurung as Home Minister, and Shishir Khanal as Foreign Minister, among others.

Born on April 27, 1990, Shah is a structural engineer, rapper, and politician who has rapidly risen in national prominence. Shah at the age of 36 is the youngest and also the first Prime Minister of Nepal from the Madheshi community. Prior to entering national politics, he served as the 15th Mayor of Kathmandu from 2022 to 2026, becoming the first independent candidate to hold the position.

Shah began his political journey as an independent candidate and gained public support through his focus on transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption. His tenure as mayor included initiatives in waste management, traffic regulation, and urban infrastructure development, although it also drew criticism over actions such as demolition drives and handling of informal settlements.

Before his political career, Shah was active in Nepal’s hip-hop scene and gained recognition through socially conscious music addressing corruption, inequality, and urban challenges. His transition from a cultural figure to a political leader has been seen as part of a broader shift toward alternative politics in Nepal, influenced by reformist movements associated with figures such as Ujjwal Thapa.

In January 2026, Shah resigned as mayor and joined the RSP to contest the general election as its prime ministerial candidate. His decisive victory in Jhapa-5 and subsequent election as parliamentary party leader paved the way for his appointment as Prime Minister.

Shah’s rise to the country’s highest executive office within a short span reflects changing political dynamics in Nepal, with increasing support for new leadership and reform-oriented governance.