Nepal swears-in ex-rapper Balendra Shah as Prime Minister

Saturday, 28 March 2026 00:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Balendra Shah

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah was sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister on Friday (Mar 27). The 35-year-old achieved a sweeping victory in the country’s first election since the uprising last year.

“I, Balendra Shah, in the name of the country and people, pledge that I will be loyal to the constitution... and fulfil my duty as the prime minister,” Shah said, dressed all in black and wearing his trademark dark sunglasses.

The oath of office was administered by President Ram Chandra Poudel after a ceremony involving scores of chanting Hindu priests and red-robed Buddhist monks.