Nepal’s political landscape is transforming before our eyes as vote counting from the March 5 general elections reveals bold new leaders. Balendra Shah, the anti-corruption crusader and Kathmandu mayor, is way out in front in Jhapa-5, leading ex-PM KP Oli by 25,795 votes on 34,863 counts. This performance catapults the Rastriya Swatantra Party into the spotlight.
In Rukum East-1, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda celebrated a solid win, securing 10,240 votes and a 6,778-vote margin. Standing alone among the old ‘big three,’ his victory highlights selective voter loyalty to familiar faces.
Background to this poll frenzy: Gen-Z fury in September 2025 forced Oli’s downfall, paving way for these elections. RSP, born just three years ago, is outperforming veterans nationwide. Nepali Congress chief Gagan Thapa, for instance, is trailing RSP’s Amresh Kumar Singh in Sarlahi-4.
What drives RSP? Shah’s proven track record against municipal corruption, coupled with the party’s pledge to combat systemic ills. Spokesperson Manish Jha posted on X: ‘Work as helpers, not leaders. Our real foes are corruption, poverty, bad rule.’ Finance Minister Resham Lal Pun affirmed on Facebook that a constitutional majority is within reach, quashing skeptics.
Experts predict this RSP wave, blending youth energy and reform promises, could stabilize Nepal’s volatile politics. As final tallies emerge, the nation anticipates a government prioritizing people over partisanship, potentially marking the end of an era dominated by recycled coalitions.