By Manisha Sahu
Updated: September 11, 2025,  | America News World

Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal is witnessing an unprecedented political turning point as the country remains without a Prime Minister following the dramatic resignation of KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday. The vacuum comes in the wake of a violent anti-corruption revolt that has shaken the Himalayan nation to its core, leaving more than 30 dead and the traditional political elite in ruins.

What began as outrage over a now-revoked social media ban escalated into a full-blown nationwide uprising led by Gen-Z protesters disillusioned by years of corruption, nepotism, and broken promises.

Now, three days after the collapse of the government, the power to determine Nepal’s next leader seems to rest not in parliament, but on the streets — and in the hands of a highly energized, digitally savvy, and politically active generation born around the millennium.

Vacuum of Power, Surge of Hope

On Tuesday, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli tendered his resignation after widespread protests turned violent. His departure, along with the near-total collapse of the ruling coalition and the sidelining of most traditional party figures, has created an extraordinary moment of possibility for Nepal.

The search for an interim Prime Minister has since become a focal point of national and international attention. At least four to five names have emerged as leading contenders — all seen as relatively clean, energetic, and rooted in populist or activist backgrounds.

Leading the pack is Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, the 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu and a rapper-turned-politician. Widely admired for his urban reform efforts and direct communication with citizens via social media, Balen has become a symbol of the new Nepal that Gen-Z hopes to build.

He is joined in consideration by:

• Sushila Karki, 73, Nepal’s first female chief justice known for her anti-corruption rulings and activism.
• Kulman Ghising, 54, credited with ending Nepal’s infamous load-shedding (power outage) crisis.
• Harka Raj Sampang Rai (a.k.a. Harka Sampang), 42, the maverick mayor of Dharan with a grassroots following.
• Rabi Lamichhane, 51, a controversial journalist-turned-politician, who was freed from jail by protesters who claimed he was wrongly imprisoned.

Despite their varied backgrounds, each of these figures is seen as a break from the discredited old guard, including former Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and other septuagenarian politicians who have dominated Nepal’s post-monarchy politics.

Gen-Z’s Grip on the Moment

This crisis marks perhaps the first time globally that Generation Z has seized direct political control — not only organizing mass protests, but actively negotiating with the President and military over future leadership.

President Ram Chandra Paudel, in a rare address, acknowledged the Gen-Z uprising, calling on youth leaders to “take the onus and decide.” According to insider sources, the statement was a veiled message encouraging the protest movement to unite behind a candidate.

Yet unity remains elusive.

By Thursday evening, scuffles broke out outside Nepal Army Headquarters in Kathmandu between rival Gen-Z factions supporting different contenders. Eyewitnesses reported physical confrontations between supporters of Balen, Sushila Karki, and Harka Sampang.

Military and police forces managed to contain the clashes without major violence, but the incident has raised concerns over the movement’s ability to consolidate around a leader.

Age and Accountability: The Defining Debate

Interestingly, age — typically a footnote in politics — has become a decisive criterion in this selection process.

The original protest organizers set an informal rule that only those aged 28 or below could represent the Gen-Z revolution. While none of the current candidates are under 30, all are significantly younger than the 70-plus political elite they seek to replace.

“Age isn’t just a number anymore — it’s a symbol,” says activist Pema Lama, 24, a protest leader in Pokhara. “We want a government that understands our future, not one stuck in the past.”

Still, Sushila Karki’s name remains popular, particularly among older voters and international observers, due to her reformist judicial legacy and fearless stance against entrenched political powers. Her age, 73, remains the only sticking point among hardline youth leaders.

What’s Next for Nepal?

As of Friday, no final decision has been made on who will become Nepal’s next Prime Minister. Talks between youth representatives, the President, and the Army Chief are ongoing.

The Army, while avoiding overt political interference, has positioned itself as a stabilizing force — promising to “protect the democratic aspirations of the people” while ensuring peace.

Meanwhile, international attention is growing. Both India and China, Nepal’s neighbors and strategic rivals, are watching closely but have remained officially neutral. The United States has issued a statement urging “a peaceful and democratic transition that reflects the will of the Nepali people.”

Conclusion

Nepal stands at a historic crossroads. In a nation long plagued by instability, the current moment offers not just a break from the past, but the possibility of a new beginning — one shaped not by party bosses or foreign power brokers, but by a generation raised on the internet, motivated by justice, and willing to fight for a better tomorrow.

Whether that promise is realized depends on whether Gen-Z leaders can overcome their internal divisions and present a united vision — and leader — to carry the country forward.

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