‘F**k China, India’: Nepal PM frontrunner Balen Shah’s 2025 post that triggered political outrage

Nepal has voted in its first general election since the violent Gen-Z-led protests in September last year that forced the government to step down. Among the most closely watched candidates is former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, widely known as Balen, who resigned from his post earlier this year to contest the election from Jhapa-5.

The 35-year-old has emerged as a favourite among younger voters and is seen as one of the frontrunners to lead Nepal’s next government. His appeal to young voters has been accompanied by a fair share of controversies, highlighting the polarizing yet influential role he plays in Nepalese politics.

Controversies surrounding Balen Shah

Balen Shah has also faced criticism during his political career, particularly over a controversial social media post targeting major political parties and foreign countries.

In a late-night Facebook post in November 2025, which was later deleted, the former Kathmandu Metropolitan City mayor wrote:

“Fuck America

Fuck India

Fuck China

Fuck UML

Fuck Congress

Fuck RSP

Fuck RPP

Fuck Maobaadi

Go to hell, you guys all combined can do nothing.”

The post mentioned several political parties, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Centre), Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, along with the United States, India, and China. Screenshots of the message spread widely on social media before it was removed, drawing criticism from political leaders and the public.

Earlier, he had also triggered controversy after saying he would set fire to Singha Durbar, the seat of Nepal’s government.

Who is Balendra Shah?

Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, is among the younger political faces challenging Nepal’s traditional leadership in the 2026 election. After serving three years as the mayor of Kathmandu, he entered the national race to break the long-standing dominance of veteran politicians.

His rise in national politics comes months after protests forced former prime minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. Following the uprising, Shah posted a message on social media directed at young voters: "Dear Gen Z, the resignation of your killer has come. Now your generation will have to lead the country. Be prepared."

Born to a father who practised Ayurvedic medicine and a homemaker mother, Shah developed an early interest in poetry that later evolved into rap music. Inspired by American artists such as Tupac Shakur and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, he gained popularity in Nepal’s music scene before entering politics.

He studied civil engineering in Nepal and later completed a master’s degree in structural engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University in Karnataka, India.

From rapper to politician

Before entering politics, Shah built a reputation as a rapper whose songs often criticised Nepal’s political establishment. His music resonated with young listeners in a country where a significant share of the population struggles with poverty and unemployment.

One of his most popular tracks, “Balidan” (sacrifice), released in 2019, has received more than 12 million views on YouTube.

Shah formally entered politics when he contested the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate under the slogan “Time for change.” He won the race by a wide margin, gaining national attention.

During his tenure as mayor, however, rights groups criticised his administration for allegedly using heavy-handed measures against street vendors while attempting to clear roads and regulate unlicensed businesses in the capital.

Unlike many senior Nepali politicians who rely on traditional media, Shah largely communicates directly with supporters through social media, where he has more than 3.5 million followers.

Frontrunner for the prime minister’s post

In December last year, Shah joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by former television host-turned-politician Rabi Lamichhane, and became its candidate for the prime minister’s post.

Recent campaign images shared on his social media accounts frequently show him travelling across constituencies wearing his trademark dark sunglasses and beard.

However, he also faced criticism earlier this year after a video surfaced online showing him driving a Land Rover Defender reportedly worth around 40 million Nepali rupees during campaigning in Jhapa-5.

What Balen Shah’s party has promised

The Rastriya Swatantra Party has placed economic reforms and employment at the centre of its campaign. According to the party’s manifesto, it aims to create 1.2 million jobs and reduce the large-scale migration of Nepalis seeking employment abroad.

The party has also pledged to raise Nepal’s per capita income from $1,447 to $3,000, expand the economy to $100 billion in GDP, and introduce social welfare measures such as universal healthcare insurance within five years.

As Nepal awaits the final election results, Shah’s rapid political rise, from rapper and social media personality to a potential national leader, has become one of the defining stories of the 2026 election.