Balendra Shah was sworn-in as Nepal's Prime Minister on Saturday as a surprise at the very public ceremony for many who expect change to take place when the country is moving from a secular or traditional political scenario to a political one in the next decade.
Shah, more commonly known as “Balen,” first made national waves as a rapper before becoming active political figure. From Kathmandu he quickly gained political power with a focus on neighbourhood work; his administrative style of reform, anti-corruption work, and public involvement as well as youth development was appreciated throughout Kathmandu as well.
Shah’s elevation to the top post in the midst of political instability in Nepal where governance has moved along and political coalition struggles have erupted for the last few years. It's clear new leadership, accountability and public will become the big reasons for elevation of Shah, the country feels.
His swearing-in was celebrated by supporters as another success in youth driven politics and a signal for times to change. And by contrast he came from an alternative background to be able to connect with the younger generation and think about issues of modern governance differently.
But critics are more wary as Shah's relatively limited experience in national politics would probably hinder him to deal with problems like economic recovery, foreign policy and coalition administration of coalition members.
Political analysts say Shah’s leadership should be watched closely, chiefly in how he navigates Nepal’s politically unstable political alliances and tackles social problems like unemployment, infrastructure development and economic growth.
His switch from music to politics was widely reported and a global trend at large in which people of all levels and backgrounds are being brought to leadership capacities.
As Nepal begins its new political evolution, expectations are high and the upcoming months will be crucial for Shah to translate his popularity into effective governance at the national.
