Nepal in Flux as Gen-Z Leaders Split Over Interim Govt Leadership

Kathmandu: A day after Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli stepped down amid unprecedented Gen-Z protests, Nepal’s young leaders struggled on Wednesday to agree on who should head the next government. The uncertainty lingers even as the Nepal Army, now overseeing law and order, prepares for crucial talks with protest representatives.

Discussions among Gen-Z activists have centred on selecting an apolitical figure to lead an interim administration. Names floated include former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, former Nepal Electricity Authority chief Kul Man Ghising, and Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang. However, no consensus has been reached.

“Karki’s name has gained traction, but Ghising and Sampang are also under consideration,” said Gen-Z leader Rabi Kiran Hamal, who insisted he favours a Gen-Z figure for the role. Interestingly, Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, once seen as the frontrunner, has been dropped from current deliberations.

Karki, Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, is remembered for her uncompromising judicial stands. Ghising earned public respect by ending the country’s chronic power cuts, while Sampang rose as a grassroots populist in Dharan.

The growing influx of groups claiming Gen-Z affiliation has further complicated leadership choices. Political observers warn that appointing an independent prime minister could stretch the limits of Nepal’s 2015 constitution.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress has urged adherence to constitutional procedures. General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishow Prakash Sharma said decisions taken under the “doctrine of necessity” must stay within legal bounds to prevent a prolonged constitutional vacuum.

The protests have also led to a dramatic breakdown in policing. Nepal Police reported that more than 13,500 prisoners escaped nationwide during Tuesday and Wednesday’s unrest, along with over 500 detainees under investigation. DIG Binod Ghimire said the situation calmed somewhat by Wednesday, though Kathmandu Valley remained volatile.

In a positive development, the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu resumed operations from 3:30 pm Wednesday. The Nepal Tourism Board advised stranded travellers to confirm schedules directly with airlines.