Balendra Shah, Rastriya Swatantra Party’s prime ministerial candidate, after defeating former PM K P Oli, Saturday. (AP)The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is all set to form the next government in Nepal after it decimated traditional political parties Saturday, in the first general elections in the country since last year’s Gen Z protests.The RSP’s prime ministerial candidate, rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, defeated four-time PM K P Sharma Oli of CPN-UML by about 50,000 votes in Jhapa-5 constituency, according to the Election Commission said.In a message through social media, Oli said: “I wish Balen Babu a successful five-year tenure without any hurdle.”The RSP won 72 out of 90 seats for which results were declared by 9.30 pm. Vote counting started late Thursday night and as of 9.30 pm Saturday, counting was in progress in remaining of the total 165 constituencies, the EC said.RSP’s top leadership said it is now looking forward to inviting international investors to make the Himalayan nation their destination.“There will be a very conducive atmosphere for investment in the country as Nepal will now adopt developmental diplomacy, and it will be guided by mutual interest and dignified foreign policy, which also means promoting policies to encourage investment in the country,” announced RSP chief and former deputy PM Rabi Lamichhane in Chitwan after his election victory.The election in Nepal is being closely watched by India, which is hoping for a stable government in the politically fragile country to take forward the developmental partnership between the two sides.Story continues below this adPM Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated the people and government of Nepal for the successful conduct of elections. “It is heartening to see my Nepali sisters and brothers exercise their democratic rights so vibrantly. This historic milestone is a proud moment in Nepal’s democratic journey,” he said on X. Modi also said that as a close friend and neighbour, India remains steadfast in its commitment to working closely with the people of Nepal and its new government to scale new heights of shared peace, progress and prosperity.RSP’s seats include a clean sweep in all 10 constituencies of Kathmandu district even as it is leading in 52 seats, the EC data showed. The Nepali Congress won 10 and was leading in 8; the CPN-(UML) won just 4 and is leading in 8; Nepali Communist Party won 2 seats and is leading in 5 and Rastriya Prajatantra Party won 1 seat. With PTIStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Kathmandu