Balendra Shah, known as Balen, is set to become Nepal's next prime minister after youth-led protests toppled the previous government. His Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured the largest mandate in Nepal's modern electoral era. Shah is expected to take office in the coming days after the formal declaration of results. Born in 1990 to an Ayurvedic doctor and a homemaker, Shah took an unconventional path to political power, earning degrees in both Nepal and India. His tenure as mayor was marked by a crackdown on corruption and clean-up drives, and he advocated for the preservation of indigenous heritage. He also made headlines for his aggressive stance towards Nepal’s neighbors, China and India, and for a controversial map of “Greater Nepal” in his office showing disputed Indian territories.