Balen Shah's under-40 Cabinet marks 'generational shift' in Nepal

The swearing-in of Nepal's new government marks a generational shift, quite literally, in the country's mainstream politics following the Gen Z-led protests that rocked the Himalayan nation last year.

The Cabinet of ministers of newly sworn-in Prime Minister, Balendra Shah, consists mostly of leaders under the age of 40. This is considered to be a significant difference in contrast to previous governments, where traditional parties would include only one or two relatively young ministers.

This time, however, it is believed that at least 10 such ministers will be appointed in total.

Shah, popularly known as Balen, is a rapper-turned-politician and himself is just 36 years old. Following his swearing-in on Friday, he is now the youngest elected Prime Minister that Nepal has ever had.

NEW DAWN FOR NEPAL

For years, Nepal's younger population had been largely discontent with the same set of bigwigs in politics and had been demanding a new leadership.

Against the backdrop of this growing sentiment, general elections were held on March 5 this year for the first time since KP Oli's resignation in September following the outbreak of the youth-led protests that later turned violent.

Balen Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured a landslide victory in the crucial polls as it secured 182 out of 275 seats in Nepal's House of Representatives. The outfit's winning tally included 53 relatively young candidates, who were directly elected to the parliament.

Sobita Gautam, 30, who was elected from the Chitwan-3 constituency, has been sworn in as the Law Minister.

Similarly, 38-year-old Sudan Gurung, who gained prominence during the Gen Z movement, has been appointed as Home Minister. He is an elected MP representing the Gorkha-1 constituency.

Meanwhile, Pratibha Rawal, aged 32, who became an MP through the proportional representation system, has been appointed as Minister for General Administration.

Geeta Chaudhary, also elected through the proportional system from the Tharu women’s cluster, has become the Agriculture Minister. She is just 33 years old and is a lawyer, human rights activist, and social engineer.

Likewise, Deepak Sah, 34, elected from Mahottari, is the new labour minister.

Similarly, Sasmita Pokharel, elected from Kathmandu-5, has been appointed as Nepal's new education minister. She is the youngest minister on the list so far, at just 29 years old.

Representing the Badi community, 30-year-old Sita Badi, elected through the proportional system, will become Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens.

Another minister in Shah's newly formed government is 38-year-old Nisha Mahato, who has been entrusted with the Ministry for Health and Population.

Meanwhile, 35-year-old Sunil Lamsal has been chosen to head the physical infrastructure and transport ministry.

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