Archive · 19 Jan 2026
Nepal Election Highlights Generational Divide
In Nepal, there is an upcoming election on March 5 that is showing a big difference between older and younger political leaders.
Balen Shah, a 35-year-old former mayor of Kathmandu and a rapper, has resigned to run for parliament.
He will challenge K P Sharma Oli, a 74-year-old former prime minister, in the Jhapa-5 constituency.
Many young people in Nepal support Shah because he has worked to improve the city and has spoken out against corruption.
Oli, who has been in politics for a long time, is facing a tough challenge from Shah and other younger candidates.
This election is important because it shows a shift in Nepal's politics, with more young people getting involved and challenging the older leaders.
Balen Shah, the 35-year-old former Mayor of Kathmandu, has resigned to contest the Nepal's House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.
Shah will challenge K P Sharma Oli, a 74-year-old former Prime Minister and candidate from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), in the Jhapa-5 constituency.
The election highlights a generational divide, with younger candidates like Shah and Gagan Thapa (49) from the Nepali Congress facing older, established politicians like Oli.
Shah's popularity among young people is attributed to his work in improving public infrastructure and his criticism of established political parties.
Other emerging candidates include Kulman Ghising from the Ujyalo Nepal Party and Harka Sampanga, the Mayor of Dharan Sub-metropolitan City, both of whom are popular among various Gen Z groups.
- Who
- Balen Shah, former Mayor of Kathmandu, and K P Sharma Oli, former Prime Minister of Nepal
- What
- Nepal's general elections highlighting a generational divide among candidates
- When
- March 5
- Where
- Nepal, with a focus on the Jhapa-5 constituency
- Why
- To address the political and generational divide in Nepal, with young leaders challenging established figures
- Name
- Balen Shah
- Position
- Former Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City
- Resignation Date
- Sunday (unspecified date)
- Election Date
- March 5
- Party
- Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)
- Potential Constituency
- Jhapa–5
- Profession
- Architect and Rapper
- Tenure as Mayor
- Three-and-a-half years
- Opponent
- K P Sharma Oli
- Opponent's Party
- Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)
- Opponent's Age
- 74
- Opponent's Constituency Experience
- Represented Jhapa-5 six times over three decades
- Other Candidates
- Gagan Thapa (Nepali Congress), Kulman Ghising (Ujyalo Nepal Party), Harka Sampanga (Dharan Sub-metropolitan City Mayor)
