Kathmandu’s 35-year-old mayor Balendra Shah—popularly known as Balen—has emerged as a powerful youth symbol in Nepal’s turbulent political landscape, with growing calls for him to take part in an interim government following the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli.

Shah, a former rapper and trained structural engineer, has become a favorite among young Nepalis who see him as a break from the traditional political order dominated by leaders twice his age. Often seen on Instagram wearing a blazer and sunglasses, the mayor commands a large following online, with more than 800,000 followers.

This week’s anti-graft protests, led by the youth-driven group Gen Z Nepal, left 19 people dead and have intensified the push for younger leadership. With more than half of Nepal’s 30 million citizens under the age of 30, protesters say it is time their voices shaped governance.

Calls are mounting for Shah to be included in discussions with President Ram Chandra Poudel on forming a Neutral Interim Authority Council, a body proposed to stabilize the country and guide it toward elections within 18 months. A draft proposal prepared by protest leaders suggests Shah could represent young activists and civil society alongside technocrats.

Shah rose to prominence after winning the 2022 mayoral election in Kathmandu as an independent, defying Nepal’s entrenched party politics. His rap song Balidan (“Sacrifice”), a sharp critique of corruption and injustice, gained over 11 million views on YouTube, cementing his reputation as a voice against misrule.

Though Shah said he did not directly join the latest protests—arguing they were mainly for those under 26—he has consistently supported the demonstrators. He has openly criticized Oli, labeling him a “terrorist” disconnected from the suffering of ordinary families.

Analysts say Shah’s term as mayor has been marked by bold anti-corruption measures, efforts to modernize Kathmandu’s infrastructure, and strong social media engagement. His initiatives include expanding pedestrian-friendly zones, scrutinizing private schools over alleged tax evasion, and pushing for reforms in public education oversight.

Shah, born in 1990 in Kathmandu, studied civil engineering in Nepal and earned a master’s in structural engineering in India. His international recognition grew last year when Time Magazine named him among the Top 100 Emerging Leaders of 2023.

Shah urged the younger generation to be ready for leadership. “Now it is your turn to guide the country,” he said. “Be prepared.”