Who Will Lead Nepal?
Who Will Lead Nepal? Unconventional Candidates Emerge as Frontrunners for Next Prime Minister
Kathmandu, Nepal – Following the dramatic resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli amidst widespread, youth-led “Gen Z” protests, Nepal is grappling with a significant political vacuum. While no official successor has been named, the popular uprising has thrust a new generation of unconventional leaders into the spotlight as potential candidates to steer the nation out of its current crisis.
President Ram Chandra Poudel has accepted Mr. Oli’s resignation and has initiated discussions with political leaders to form a new government. In the interim, Mr. Oli has been appointed to lead a caretaker government until a new one is established, though the extent of his powers in this role remains unclear amidst the ongoing turmoil.
The protesters, who have been a driving force in the recent political upheaval, have made it clear they seek a departure from the established political class. This sentiment is strongly reflected in the names currently circulating as potential prime ministerial candidates, many of whom have built their reputations outside of traditional party politics.
The Top Contenders:
Balendra Shah (Balen): The most prominent name emerging from the protests is Balendra Shah, the 35-year-old independent mayor of Kathmandu. A rapper and structural engineer by profession, Shah has garnered immense support from the youth for his action-oriented governance and his vocal backing of the “Gen Z” movement. Online campaigns are vigorously promoting him as the next leader, seeing him as a symbol of the change they demand.
Rabi Lamichhane: Another key figure is Rabi Lamichhane, the chief of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and a former television journalist. Lamichhane, who briefly served as Deputy Prime Minister, has also captured the imagination of the urban middle class and the youth with his anti-corruption stance.
Sumana Shrestha: Also mentioned as a potential frontrunner is Sumana Shrestha, a parliamentarian and economist with an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her technocratic background and fresh perspective are seen as assets in addressing Nepal’s systemic issues.
What Happens Next?
The path to forming a new government is uncertain. The protesters have demanded the dissolution of Parliament and the formation of an interim government with representatives nominated by them, followed by early elections.
Theoretically, the ruling coalition, which included Mr. Oli’s CPN-UML, the Nepali Congress, and the Maoist Centre, could still attempt to form a government. However, with reports of coalition partners threatening to walk out, the government is on the verge of collapse. This instability could pave the way for one of these younger, independent-minded leaders to take the helm.
As the nation remains under a nationwide curfew with the army deployed, the coming days will be crucial in determining who will lead Nepal and whether they can meet the demands for systemic reform championed by the protest movement.
