Nepal, a nation nestled in the Himalayas and known for its rich tapestry of cultures and religions, is once again at a crossroads. As the dust settles from the violent Gen-Z protests of September 2025—which left 77 people dead and the country’s political establishment shaken—Nepalis are preparing for general elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. The hope, voiced by former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai at a recent event in Delhi, is that these elections will finally "settle down" tensions and usher in a period of stability after months of unrest and political uncertainty, as reported by StratNews Global.
Bhattarai, a pivotal figure in Nepal’s revolutionary Maoist insurgency and a key architect of its constitution, expressed confidence that the elections would proceed as planned. "Elections will happen and it should happen. If we don’t have elections and power is not handed over to elected representatives of the people then democratic values will take a hit. And such a scenario will not only adversely impact Nepal, but the impact will be felt in India too," he stated, according to StratNews Global. His words reflect the high stakes: democratic continuity in Nepal is seen as vital not just for its own future, but for the stability of the broader region.
The backdrop to these elections is anything but calm. The Gen-Z protests, which erupted in September, were the most violent Nepal has seen in years. They were fueled by deep frustration among the youth over the government’s failure to deliver on promises of economic opportunity and good governance. Bhattarai did not mince words about the cause. He attributed the unrest to a "leadership failure"—specifically that of then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli—and acknowledged that "internal as well as external factors" played a role, with youth resentment becoming entangled with "the penetration of various interests."
Despite Nepal’s progressive and inclusive constitution—hailed by Bhattarai as "one of the most progressive, democratic constitutions in the world" and influenced by global figures like Babasaheb Ambedkar and the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity—many of its promises remain unfulfilled. Bhattarai lamented, "Despite this we failed to transform our economy, failed to provide jobs to the youth, failed to promote a strong economic base." He pointed out that while the constitution guarantees free education for Dalits, such provisions have yet to be fully implemented.
Amid these unfulfilled promises, the political establishment has shown a stubborn resistance to change. In a development that has surprised many observers, KP Sharma Oli was re-elected chair of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML)—Nepal’s second-largest party—for a third consecutive term, prevailing over his only rival by more than double the votes, as reported by The Annapurna Express. Oli’s re-election comes despite a controversial record: he twice dissolved an elected parliament during his tenure as Prime Minister, presided over a period marked by allegations of corruption, and is currently under investigation for the suppression of the Gen-Z protests that claimed so many lives.
Oli’s leadership style has drawn significant criticism. Once a champion of internal democracy within the UML, he has, over the years, centralized power, sidelined potential opponents, and stifled dissent, cultivating what many describe as a "personality cult." According to The Annapurna Express, "Anyone who dared challenge his growing personality cult found themselves sidelined—and sometimes even publicly humiliated." Even more troubling for many young Nepalis, Oli has openly mocked the Gen-Z movement, suggesting it was orchestrated by foreign troublemakers, and has refused to express remorse for the deaths that occurred during the protests. Soon after his re-election, he "thundered against the interim government’s probe panel formed to investigate the early-September killing of unarmed protestors, saying he would rather be shot than present himself before the panel."
For many within and outside the UML, Oli’s re-election represents a repudiation of the Gen-Z uprising’s central demand: that tried-and-tested leaders like him step aside and make way for a new generation. Instead, the party has doubled down on the status quo, a move some analysts have called political "hara-kiri." In a country with an average age of just 26, the decision to retain Oli—deeply unpopular among the youth—signals a disconnect between party elites and the broader population’s desire for real change.
There are signs of mounting anxiety within the UML and the broader political establishment. Fearing electoral losses, both UML and members of the Nepali Congress, the largest party in the now-dissolved parliament, are reportedly lobbying for the reinstatement of the House of Representatives. This would effectively roll back the political clock to before the Gen-Z uprising, rejecting the legitimacy of the youth-led revolt and its demand for sweeping reforms.
Yet the appetite for change is not confined to the streets. As the UML rallies behind Oli, alternative political forces are gathering momentum. Kathmandu’s popular and charismatic mayor, Balen Shah, is seen by many as a potential leader of a new political behemoth. Even the Nepali Congress, the old liberal democratic force, is poised for a leadership change, reflecting widespread public desire for a new direction. As The Annapurna Express observes, "This steady decline in democratic culture in the second-largest party of the dissolved parliament will also be insalubrious for the health of Nepali democracy."
Bhattarai, for his part, remains adamant that Nepal’s future lies in democracy, inclusivity, and secularism. He dismissed any possibility of a return to monarchy—"Monarchy in Nepal is dead. You don’t resurrect a dead body," he declared—and reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to secularism despite the country’s deep Hindu roots. "Nepalese have allegiance towards Hinduism, but Nepal will not declare any religion as the state religion… We wanted a secular Nepal where there will be freedom to practice all religions," he said, as reported by StratNews Global.
But the challenges are not only internal. Bhattarai acknowledged a "serious trust deficit" between Nepal and India, two countries with deep historical, cultural, and economic ties. "India and Nepal are closely linked. But we have to upgrade our relationship according to the needs of the 21st century," he urged. Importantly, he reassured India that "Nepal has no intention to give space to those who want to do harmful activities against India."
As Nepal heads toward its crucial March 2026 elections, the country stands at a pivotal moment. The outcome will determine not just the shape of its democracy, but whether it can bridge the generational divide, fulfill the promises of its progressive constitution, and restore trust—both at home and with its neighbors. The choices made in the coming months will echo far beyond Kathmandu’s corridors of power, shaping the trajectory of Nepali society for years to come.
