No end to Nepal political vacuum as leaderless Gen Z factions clash

The political vacuum in Nepal continued for another day without resolution, with the Nepal army chief holding a second round of talks with Gen Z representatives on choosing an interim government, even as leaderless Gen Z factions clashed with each other on the streets of Kathmandu on Thursday.

As many as 34 people are believed to have died in the protests that began on Monday. The army is also believed to have held talks with Nepal President Ram Chandra Poudel, who, along with Nepal’s senior leaders like former Prime Ministers KP Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba, are under the protection of the army in the Shivpuri Nagarjun army staff college area, a short drive from Kathmandu.

“I am making every effort to protect democracy and to find a way out from the present political impasse within the constitutional framework while at the same time maintaining law and order,” Poudel was quoted saying in a press release.

Border guards nab Nepalese jail escapees

The Sashastra Seema Bal that guards the India-Nepal border has caught 60 persons, including a Bangladeshi national, from various locations along the international front. Most of them are Nepalese who are suspected to have escaped during jailbreaks during the unrest in their country.

Gen Z representatives also told the Nepali media that they were seriously concerned about the infiltration of outside forces in their movement, insisting that none of the protesters could have even thought of burning down Parliament or political party offices and other buildings in the city.

Besides that of former Chief Justice of Nepal Sushila Karki, several more names were added to the list today to lead an interim government. An online poll organised by Gen Z activists on Wednesday had showed Karki leading the poll with 50 per cent support, followed by Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah (28 per cent), Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang and former Nepal Electricity Authority CEO Kulman Ghising.

Despite conflicting media reports suggesting Ghising might be appointed as Prime Minister, Gen Z activists insist they will only back Karki. Mayor Shah has also supported Gen Z’s choice and has openly stated that Karki is the best choice.

The question of how an interim government will combine with the old order remains. Gen Z leaders and youth protesters have emphasised that they respect the Constitution — an “achievement of the Nepali people” that guarantees representation for all genders and communities.

Their demand is clear. They do not want corrupt leaders back in power and have chosen Karki, whose record as a corruption-fighter and reformist judge remains untarnished.

President Poudel now faces the Herculean task of forming an interim government in collaboration with Gen Z leaders and organising fresh elections.

Some Gen Z leaders organised a press meet in Kathmandu, where they said that Parliament must be dissolved and the Constitution should be amended to reflect the will of the people. They underlined the need to find a solution through dialogue and cooperation.

They warned the old political parties not to use them for their vested interests. “This is purely a civilian movement, so don’t try to play politics with this,” one activist said.