Celebrities back Balen Shah in high-stakes Jhapa-5 battle
Several artists have actively joined the campaign trail.
KATHMANDU: Nepal is currently in full election mode as candidates finalize their nominations for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.
Among the constituencies drawing the most attention is Jhapa-5, where a high-profile contest is unfolding between former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Balen Shah, the charismatic former Kathmandu mayor.
On social media, Balen Shah appears to enjoy overwhelming support, with endorsements coming from both the general public and prominent celebrities.
Actress Swastima Khadka has openly backed him, as reflected in her Facebook posts, while singer-actress Barsha Raut recently expressed her support through her performance of the song “Ghanti Bajyo Manko.”
Adding to this wave, popular actress Priyanka Karki posted on Facebook on Thursday, emphasizing the importance of Balen Shah’s victory for the future of children and the transformation of the country. She wrote, “This time, Balen Shah must win—not just because of his popularity, but because he has inspired belief that he can bring real change to the entire nation.”
Several artists have actively joined the campaign trail.
Renowned comedian and filmmaker Arjun Ghimire ‘Paadey’ has been canvassing for votes, while director Nischal Basnet has engaged with locals in Jhapa-5 to generate support. Basnet also played a key role in reconciling Balen Shah with singer Rabi Lamichhane.
Meanwhile, actress and producer Richa Sharma shared images of the massive crowd that gathered when Balen registered his candidacy in Jhapa, sending her best wishes to the local voters. Other notable celebrities—including Keki Adhikari, Aasif Shah, and Reema Bishwakarma—have also publicly endorsed Balen, further fueling his momentum in the constituency.
As the election approaches, all eyes are on Jhapa-5, where star power and political clout converge in a contest that could signal broader shifts in Nepalese politics.
