Political Developments in Nepal: A New Party on the Horizon
Kathmandu, Nov. 7 — Kulman Ghising, the minister for energy, water resources, and irrigation, is preparing to launch a new political party. His decision comes after exploring the possibility of uniting various alternative forces, but he reportedly chose to proceed independently, doubting that a consensus with other groups could be achieved.
According to sources close to Ghising, he decided to register a separate party after talks with the Rastriya Swatantra Party failed to make progress. “The to-be-formed party will likely use the light bulb as its election symbol under the name Ujyaalo Nepal Party,” one associate said. They believe the symbol will help in branding the new organization. The registration was submitted to the Election Commission in September.
Leadership and Resignation Uncertainty
Ghising has yet to decide whether he will lead the party or join as a member. He plans to consult higher authorities before deciding whether to resign from his ministerial post before filing his candidacy. For now, he intends to remain minister while forming the party.
Ghising, who also served as the former chief of the Nepal Electricity Authority, recently met with members from the Bibeksheel Sajha Party and the Nepal Gen Z Front, led by Raksya Bam. However, they could not agree on a party name or election symbol. The groups feared that a party centered on one individual could face future challenges.
“We proposed a unified party under GEN Z leadership in view of the changed situation after the Gen Z movement, but Ghising refused,” a Gen Z Front leader said.
Unity and Challenges Among Alternative Forces
Former Bibeksheel Sajha Party president Milan Pandey stated that talks with all sides were ongoing, but no decision had been reached. “Who leads the party is secondary; the priority is recognizing those experienced and deserving within the Gen Z movement,” he said, adding that all alternative forces should unite.
Within the Gen Z Front led by Raksya Bam, leaders are considering transforming the Front into a political party. Some support formalizing the front and integrating leaders from the Bibeksheel background, with preparations underway for provincial and district-level leadership.
Yujan Raj Bhandari, organization chief of the Front, said the aim is to institutionalize the movement from the September 8 protests before pursuing politics. “Some will move into politics, others may stay in civil society. Talks with other groups are ongoing,” he said.
Expanding Political Alliances
Following separate moves by Bibeksheel and Gen Z leaders, Ghising also held talks with the Nagarik Unmukti Party and CK Raut’s Janamat Party, with activists such as Sagar Dhakal participating in the discussions.
Former education minister Sumana Shrestha, who left the Rastriya Swatantra Party a few months ago, emphasized the importance of a party reflecting Gen Z principles. She warned that if Gen Z fails to win parliamentary representation, established parties could criminalize the movement.
“The state has caused immense suffering, several youths have been killed, therefore the Gen Z movement must have its own leadership,” she said. Shrestha was initially engaged with the Gatisheel Loktantrik Party but did not join when it was registered. She later met Ghising, supporting a Gen Z-aligned party and proposing a shift towards collective leadership rather than a single leader.
Historical Context and Future Prospects
Ghising, who had been planning a party before the Gen Z movement, received proposals to join the Rastriya Swatantra Party. He reportedly said he could lead if Rabi Lamichhane took a patron role.
The Rastriya Swatantra Party had also formed a high-level dialogue committee under the leadership of vice-chairperson Swarnim Wagle. Although Lamichhane had indicated he could be flexible, sources close to him claim that his leaders were not ready for it.
Sources close to Ghising say he then decided to form a separate party. According to them, he postponed the plans to form a new party after proposals came from the Rastriya Swatantra Party. “Otherwise, he was ready to announce the party earlier. Even now he decided to move ahead to avoid delays,” the source said.