Nepal’s new leadership frontier: Gen Z protesters champion fresh faces

As Nepal’s Gen Z-led anti-corruption protests reshape the political landscape, the question of who should lead the country in a transitional phase has brought new and unexpected names to the fore.

From youth icons in the streets to establishment outsiders, the search for a credible prime ministerial face has gripped Kathmandu.

Frontrunners

Among the frontrunners is Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first woman chief justice. Known for her uncompromising stance against corruption during her tenure on the bench, Karki has emerged as a preferred consensus candidate in virtual consultations among protesters. However, constitutional experts warn that legal provisions may complicate her appointment, raising questions about the feasibility of her nomination.

Another name that has gained traction is Balendra Shah, better known as Balen Dai, the 34-year-old Kathmandu mayor whose journey from structural engineer and rapper to political disruptor has captured the imagination of Nepal’s youth. Educated in India from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) in Karnataka before entering politics, Shah has become a symbol of clean governance and social media-savvy activism. Though widely seen as a potential prime minister, Shah has expressed caution about stepping into the role, emphasising that the movement must remain youth-driven rather than personality-centred.

Kulman Ghising, the former head of Nepal Electricity Authority, is also in the reckoning. Credited with ending the country’s crippling power cuts, Ghising enjoys a reputation as a technocrat with integrity. His removal from office earlier this year was widely criticised as politically motivated, and his name has since become a rallying point for those seeking a non-partisan administrator to lead a transitional government.

Also in the mix is Harka Raj Sampang Rai, the maverick mayor of Dharan. Known for his grassroots activism and populist style, Harka Sampang has a loyal following in eastern Nepal, though his national appeal remains less tested compared to the other frontrunners.

Faces of agitation

Parallel to these names at the top, the streets of Kathmandu and Dharan have seen the rise of a new generation of protest leaders. Sudan Gurung, the 38-year-old founder of NGO Hami Nepal, has emerged as one of the most recognisable figures. Once a nightclub owner and DJ, Gurung pivoted to civic activism after the 2015 earthquake when he lost his child in the calamity. He then mobilised youth for disaster relief and, more recently, for anti-corruption protests.

Alongside him are student leaders and activists such as Rakshya Bam and Ashutosh Basnet, who have become symbolic faces of the movement. Basnet, who survived gunshot injuries during a protest clash, has openly warned against infiltration of the demonstrations, while Bam has represented the voice of women and students in public gatherings.

A strong woman voice has also surfaced in these protests — Tanuja Pandey — a 27-year-old law graduate and co-founder of the climate justice group Harin Nepal. Originally from Kailali, she has voiced demands for accountability and clean leadership, while stressing that the movement is leaderless and driven by district-level representation. She has also backed the idea of a citizen-led interim government with figures like former chief justice Sushila Karki at the helm.

The convergence of these voices — from grassroots organisers to technocrats and jurists — reflects both the promise and the challenge of Nepal’s political crossroads. Protesters are demanding accountability and change, but divisions remain over who best represents their aspirations.

The road ahead

While a section of the youth movement appears to favour Karki as a neutral caretaker, others continue to back Shah or Ghising. Negotiations with Nepal’s Army and President Ram Chandra Poudel are ongoing, as pressure mounts to finalise an interim government that can bridge the gap between the street and the state.

What is clear is that Nepal’s politics is no longer the preserve of traditional parties alone. Whether through elected mayors, former judges, or grassroots activists, a new generation — and those it trusts — has entered the heart of power politics, with the possibility of reshaping the country’s leadership for years to come.

Meanwhile, local media reports state that serious deliberations are underway at Nepal President’s Office, ‘Sheetal Niwas’. Senior officials at the Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs, have been asked to remain on standby for an official transition once political consensus is finalised.