New Delhi (India) March 27:Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah commonly known as Balen sworn in as Nepal's prime minister after winning the first election since the anti-corruption protests which led to the government's fall last year. The young man of 35 was selected as the leader of the parliamentary party of the Rastriya Swatantra Party on Thursday, thus making him Nepal's youngest elected prime minister.
"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.
Following a program with a large number of chanting Hindu priests and red-robed Buddhist monks, the President Ram Chandra Poudel performed the oath of office. 

Modi Congratulates Nepal Leader

The new Prime Minister Mr. Shah was felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his appointment.
"Warm congratulations to Balendra Shah on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal," he said.
"Your appointment reflects the trust reposed in your leadership by the people of Nepal. I look forward to working closely with you to take India-Nepal friendship and cooperation to even greater heights for the mutual benefit of our two peoples," he added.

RSP Wins Two-Thirds Majority Over Oli

Mr. Shah, a candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), emerged victorious in the elections held on March 5. The RSP managed to win close to two-thirds majority, thereby not only delivering a crushing defeat to Mr. Oli but also doing it in Mr. Oli's stronghold.
Balen is frequently tagged as a populist leader, and has once again fuelled the fire of his critics by coming out with a song Jay Mahakalion the very day of his elevation to the highest office.
It garnered 2.7 million views in just 15 hours. The song glorifies the Hindu Goddess Kali who is the symbol of power and the destruction of evil. Besides, it lavishes praise on the country and the citizens and at the same time, it taunts the critics of Balen.

Gen Z Protests Spark Youth Power Shift

The protests last year by the tech-savvy youth of Nepal -- called Gen Z by some -- who were demanding clean governance, accountability, and an end to corruption by the aging political class. They maintained that having the same old changing faces and parties in power who were so distant from the public that issues like jobs, and basic services never became their priorities. They were calling for a generational change in Nepali politics. Mr. Shah's rise to power and the new young faces in his Cabinet are a sign of what is going to happen in Nepal.