Balendra Shah’s RSP Makes History With Landslide Victory in Nepal Election

Historic Win for Balendra Shah

Nepal has witnessed a dramatic political shift after the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured a sweeping victory in the country’s general elections. The results, declared on March 8, 2026, indicate a strong rejection of traditional political parties and growing support for new leadership.

Balendra Shah, popularly known as “Balen”, contested from Jhapa Constituency-5 and defeated four-time former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli, leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), by a massive margin. According to the Election Commission, Shah secured 68,348 votes, while Oli received 18,734 votes, resulting in a victory margin of nearly 50,000 votes.

At just 35 years old, Shah is expected to become the next Prime Minister of Nepal. If sworn in, he will make history as the youngest Prime Minister in Nepal’s parliamentary history and the **first Madhesi leader to hold the position.

Rastriya Swatantra Party’s Remarkable Rise

The election results mark a major milestone for the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which was formed only in 2022 by journalist-turned-politician Ravi Lamichhane. Despite being a relatively new party, the RSP has emerged as the dominant political force in the country.

According to early results, the party secured 100 seats out of the 129 constituencies for which results had been announced. This overwhelming performance places the party in a strong position to form the next government in Nepal.

The RSP also performed strongly in urban areas, particularly in the capital region. The party won all 10 constituencies in Kathmandu district and secured additional victories across several parts of the country.

Major Setback for Traditional Political Parties

The election results have dealt a severe blow to Nepal’s long-established political parties.

The Nepali Congress (NC) managed to win 13 seats and was leading in three more constituencies. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), led by former Prime Minister Oli, secured only seven seats and was leading in three others.

Several senior political leaders also faced defeat. Gagan Thapa, president of the Nepali Congress and the party’s prime ministerial candidate, lost from Dhanusha-4 constituency to RSP candidate Amaresh Singh. Singh secured 33,688 votes, while Thapa received 22,831 votes.

The CPN-UML also suffered heavy losses, with many senior leaders including Bishnu Paudel, Prithvi Subba Gurung and Gokarna Bista failing to retain their seats.

Voters Demand Political Change

Political observers believe the election results reflect widespread dissatisfaction among voters with the existing political system.

For several years, citizens have expressed frustration over corruption, nepotism and political instability. Nepal has witnessed 14 governments in the last 18 years, which has contributed to growing public demand for a more stable and accountable government.

The election campaign saw Balendra Shah and the RSP emphasising issues such as good governance, transparency and generational change in leadership, themes that strongly resonated with younger voters.

Impact of Gen Z Protests

The election results also follow Gen Z-led protests held last year, which forced the resignation of the previous government headed by K. P. Sharma Oli.

These protests highlighted demands for anti-corruption measures, improved governance and greater opportunities for younger leaders in the political system. The movement significantly influenced the political environment ahead of the elections.

Election Participation and Voting System

Nepal recorded a voter turnout of around 60 percent during the March 5 election to the House of Representatives.

The Parliament consists of 275 members, of which 165 are elected through direct voting, while the remaining 110 seats are allocated through a proportional representation system.

More than 3,400 candidates contested the 165 directly elected seats, while over **3,100 candidates competed for the proportional representation seats.

India Congratulates Nepal on Successful Polls

Following the announcement of the results, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people and government of Nepal for successfully conducting the elections.

In a message posted on social media, he praised Nepali citizens for participating enthusiastically in the democratic process and described the election as an important milestone in Nepal’s democratic journey.

He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nepal and working with the new government to promote peace, progress and development.

A New Chapter in Nepal’s Politics

With the RSP poised to form the government, Nepal appears to be entering a new political phase marked by the rise of younger leadership and a growing demand for reform.

Balendra Shah’s victory represents not only a personal achievement but also a broader shift in Nepal’s political landscape, signalling the public’s desire for change, transparency and a new direction in governance.