KATHMANDU, March 6 - Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah's party gained leads in early counting in Nepal's general election, far outpacing his other rivals, including the country's former prime minister who was forced to resign after a historic youth-led uprising last year.

Shah, 35, former mayor of the capital city of Kathmandu, has dominated the race to become Nepal's PM during the campaign, gaining popularity across the country.