Kathmandu: Nepal’s youth‐led protest movement, widely known as “Gen Z,” has thrown its weight behind Kulman Ghising, the former head of the Nepal Electricity Authority, as the next leader of an interim government. The decision came after former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who had earlier been nominated, stepped aside citing constitutional hurdles and concerns over eligibility.
The representatives of the protesting ‘Gen Z’ group, Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel and Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel held talks at the army headquarters in Bhadrakali on Thursday to pick an interim leader, reported the PTI. According to India Today, neither the President nor Gen Z protesters had formally invited Sushila Karki to take charge as the interim head of the government.
The development follows days of violent protests triggered by the Oli government’s decision to ban 26 social media platforms. What began as outrage against censorship quickly evolved into a mass uprising against corruption, cronyism, and lack of opportunities, resulting in the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The demonstrations, which spread across Kathmandu and other cities, left at least 34 people dead and more than 1,000 injured after clashes with security forces.
Initially, demonstrators had considered Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah as a possible interim leader, but Shah declined the offer. The focus then shifted to Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, whose nomination faced legal objections because the constitution bars former justices from becoming prime minister. Her age and health also became points of contention, eventually prompting her withdrawal.
Kulman Ghising emerged as the consensus choice soon after. At 54, Ghising is widely credited with ending Nepal’s crippling electricity crisis, when households once endured power cuts of up to 18 hours a day. Educated in India on a full scholarship in electrical engineering, Ghising is regarded as a “patriotic” and “beloved” figure by many of the protesters, who see him as both competent and untainted by partisan politics.
Talks are currently underway at the army headquarters in Bhadrakali, where President Ramchandra Paudel and Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel are meeting political leaders and stakeholders to chart a path forward. The Nepali Army has said it is engaging with all sides to find a solution that ensures stability and law and order.
Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament, has signalled willingness to cooperate with the youth movement, though it has stressed that any appointment must comply with constitutional provisions. For Ghising, the challenge will be not only navigating the legal framework but also winning acceptance from established political forces and restoring public trust in governance.
The Gen Z uprising has already reshaped Nepal’s political landscape, and with Ghising now at the forefront, the next phase will test whether popular sentiment and constitutional order can find common ground.
