Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“Rap music blared out around us at a campaign rally in the district of Chitwan, in Nepal. Supporters of 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah screamed out lyrics to an AI-generated campaign song which translates to: ‘Time’s up, Fake leaders, Game Over. We’ll ring the bell on 5 March.’ Crowds of all ages were chanting ‘Balen!’, as he’s referred to in Nepal. Giant banners of the political newcomer wearing his trademark black sunglasses were mounted across the rally. Balen Shah is running for prime minister after just three years as mayor of the capital, Kathmandu. He is contesting in what’s become a key race between Nepal’s entrenched political establishment and a new generation of politicians. His party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), came fourth in the last general election in 2022.” (03/02/26)