Gen-Z and the Political Divide in Nepal
Gen-Zees in Nepal are divided on several key issues, including a directly elected executive, drafting a new compact, constitutional reform, anti-corruption measures, good governance, overseas voting, and representation in the Cabinet. The country’s politics is currently centered around two major issues: the re-instatement of the parliament versus elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. While some view these as not mutually exclusive—suggesting that if there are no elections, the parliament may be re-installed—others believe that a re-instated parliament could decide on early polls, including necessary constitutional reforms. However, the reality is that one cannot have their two feet placed under two boats. The Nepali saying, “jharla ra khaula,” which translates to a careless or indifferent attitude, may invite further disaster. Trading off the re-installation of parliament with the elections could result in neither being achieved.
Positions of the Three Big Parties
Among the three major political parties, the Maoist party and the CPN-UML occupy the extremes of a spectrum. The Maoist party, which is the third largest but significantly behind the others, has already agreed to proceed with the polls and is not in favor of re-installing the dissolved parliament. On the other hand, the CPN-UML does not believe that there will be elections on March 5. It argues that participating in an election that is not going to be held makes no sense. Therefore, the party strongly supports the re-installation of the parliament and is even considering challenging the issue in court. The Nepali Congress, the largest party in the dissolved parliament, finds itself in the middle. Its official stance is to participate in the upcoming elections but not to challenge the issue in court. The party has expressed opposition to the unconstitutional dissolution of the parliament and has raised concerns about security issues and the Interim Government bypassing political parties. Other smaller and newer political parties may have their own positions and concerns, but they are not significant in the current political landscape.
Is the Interim Government Interested in Holding Elections?
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has committed to handing over power within six months after holding elections to the new government. However, senior journalist Mr. Kishore Nepal noted on a TV channel that her ministers are behaving as if they have been appointed for 100 years. The government has a lifespan of less than five months and lacks seriousness. Mainstream political parties accuse the government of ignoring them and not showing any interest in communicating, let alone entering into a dialogue. Her Cabinet is composed primarily of individuals who are seen as opponents of political parties, which raises concerns among mainstream political leaders. They demand a conducive environment for elections. Deposed PM KP Oli is even contemplating boycotting the elections, which could lead to another political disaster.
Management Factors and Electoral Challenges
In management terms, performance is determined by three factors: ability, willingness, and opportunity. The Interim Government may have the opportunity to hold elections, but it lacks both ability and willingness. In a country where millions of people residing inside the country are still disenfranchised, calling for overseas voting is a joke. Moreover, since simply counting votes takes months, holding elections within less than five months is another big joke. Without donor support for ballot boxes, marker pens, and indelible ink, no elections have ever been held. The idea of a digital voting system for vote counts is also questionable. It is foolish to expect different results by doing the same thing. What different results are Gen-Zees expecting with the same electoral machine?
What’s Next?
The euphoria of the Gen-Z revolt may be fading, but political fluidity and uncertainty will continue. It may take a long time for the country to stabilize. The impending court cases regarding the unconstitutional appointment of Karki as prime minister and her recommendation to dissolve parliament may delay or postpone elections. There are rumors that the government itself is considering delaying the elections by a month or two. This may buy time but could lead to another political disaster. If the court reinstates the parliament, there is no clear solution either. Overly stressed and stretched by various pressures, it is uncertain whether the Karki Government will persist. She is known for throwing tantrums and eccentric behavior.
Societal Flux and Political Tensions
Nepali society as a whole is in a state of flux. A hierarchical society, where authority and knowledge flow from top to bottom, with seniority and age being dominant factors, is being challenged by juniors, newcomers, and urbanites. This shift takes time to settle the trauma and shock. When older generations cling to the past and younger generations look to the future, the present becomes badly disturbed.