In the wake of a tumultuous autumn in Nepal, the country's political landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation. The Gen Z-led uprising of September 2025, sparked by frustration over corruption and a controversial social media ban, has upended the old order, culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the appointment of Sushila Karki as interim Prime Minister. Now, as the nation prepares for early parliamentary elections set for March 5, 2026, the question on everyone's lips is whether Nepal can finally chart a more democratic and accountable path—or if old patterns will reassert themselves.
The seeds of the current crisis were sown in September, when youth-led protests erupted across the country. According to Al Jazeera, the demonstrations were met with a harsh crackdown. Police opened fire on protesters, resulting in 76 deaths and widespread outrage. Human Rights Watch reported that security officers used disproportionate force, urging the interim government to launch an independent investigation and prosecute those responsible.
The violence and subsequent public anger proved too much for the government of KP Sharma Oli. After days of unrest, Oli resigned, and President Ramchandra Paudel appointed Sushila Karki as interim Prime Minister on September 12, 2025, at the recommendation of movement leaders. Her mandate: conduct parliamentary elections within six months and restore stability to a nation reeling from bloodshed and political turmoil.
Yet, the road to elections has been anything but smooth. The dissolution of the House—a key demand of the agitators—remains hotly contested, with more than ten petitions filed at the Supreme Court challenging the move. CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli, never one to shy away from controversy, has continued to criticize the President's decision and has filed a writ petition demanding the reinstatement of parliament. The UML, Nepal’s largest communist party, has so far refused to commit to participating in the March polls, arguing instead for a return to the old legislature.
The Nepali Congress, meanwhile, is hedging its bets. Having seen party chair Sher Bahadur Deuba step aside for new leadership, the Congress appears better positioned after the Gen Z revolt. However, it remains noncommittal about whether to join the elections or push for reinstatement of parliament. According to Republica, second-generation leaders like Gagan Thapa are pushing for a party convention before the election, hoping to inject fresh energy into the party’s ranks.
Sushila Karki, for her part, has taken a firm stance. In an all-party meeting at Singha Durbar on November 19, she urged all political parties to register with the Election Commission and cooperate to ensure that the March 5 elections are held “peacefully, economically, and credibly.” She warned, “Political hesitation, demands for Parliament’s reinstatement and questions over the government’s legitimacy even after elections have been announced, risk pushing the nation back into instability.” Karki added, “Running away from elections is not an option. Any party refusing to register or boycotting elections will be seen as choosing disorder over democracy.”
Her government has pledged to support the Election Commission in cracking down on hate speech and campaign excesses. “Some leaders have used hateful language that has polluted the political environment. Such expressions are serious violations of the code of conduct, and the government will take immediate and public action,” Karki said, in a thinly veiled reference to Oli’s criticism. She also announced that campaign periods would be capped at 21 days to keep elections transparent and economical, promising, “This is taxpayers’ money, we will not allow it to be misused.”
Security remains a top concern. The September 8 crackdown, in which security forces used live ammunition and killed 21 young protesters, is still under investigation. A commission has been formed to probe the incident, and there are widespread calls for the arrest of Oli and then home minister Ramesh Lekhak. “Impartial and swift investigations are underway, and those responsible will face legal action,” Karki assured the public. Additional security forces are being deployed in sensitive districts, with increased intelligence and plainclothes personnel on the ground to prevent unrest and ensure that “every citizen can vote without fear.”
The Gen Z uprising has brought new energy—and new faces—to Nepali politics. Figures like Sudan Gurung, Durga Prasain, Nicholas Bhusal, Prabesh Dahal, and Miraj Dhungana have risen to prominence, using social media to galvanize support and challenge the old guard. Durga Prasain was recently arrested for incendiary remarks ahead of the election, highlighting the risks of populism and inflammatory rhetoric in a digital age. As Republica notes, populism has taken root, with new voices emerging to attack established leaders and push for change on issues ranging from constitutional reform to geopolitics.
Yet, the proliferation of new parties and personalities is a double-edged sword. While the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) established itself as a significant force in less than five years, internal problems have surfaced following the departure of leaders Sumana Shrestha and Santosh Pariyar, as well as allegations against the party chair related to a cooperative scam. The fragmentation of the political landscape, with new parties hastily assembled ahead of elections, often benefits the same old actors, as voters struggle to find credible alternatives.
Still, the September uprising was a wake-up call for Nepal’s political class. The violence, which included arson and vandalism believed to have been triggered by infiltrators, stemmed from deep dissatisfaction with political leaders, their repeated governance failures, and their inability to curb widespread corruption. As Karki reflected, “Their voices call for an end to the culture of protecting brokers, middlemen, corrupt networks and mafias. Their anger demands structural and political change.”
Human Rights Watch and other observers have called for independent investigations into the use of force and for those responsible to be held accountable. Gen Z activists continue to push for justice, greater youth participation, and meaningful reform. Many Nepalis, according to Al Jazeera, remain cautiously optimistic that the youth-driven movement can shape a more democratic future, even as entrenched parties and constitutional hurdles threaten to derail progress.
With less than four months until the March 5 elections, all eyes are on Sushila Karki and her interim government. Can she build trust among old and new political actors, ensure a fair and peaceful vote, and deliver on the promise of a new Nepal? Or will the forces of inertia and division prove too strong to overcome? For now, the country waits—hopeful, wary, and determined to see what comes next.
