What’s Causing Political Turmoil in Nepal?

New Delhi, Sep 11 (NationPress) Political chaos persists in Nepal as the nation grapples with the selection of an interim Prime Minister. Protesters from Gen Z have rallied behind engineer Kulman Ghising, replacing the earlier suggestion of retired Chief Justice Sushila Karki.

Reports indicate that Ghising's name was a focal point during discussions on Thursday between representatives of Gen Z and Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel. This meeting took place at the Army headquarters in Bhadrakali as efforts were made to resolve the deadlock surrounding the interim government.

President Ramchandra Paudel remains actively engaged in consultations, aiming to uphold democratic principles while also addressing the unrest that has spread throughout parts of the country, as reported by the Kathmandu Post.

“We demand a younger leader as Prime Minister,” chanted a protester in Kathmandu, as the capital's death toll reached 31, according to figures from officials at the Department of Forensic Medicine at Tribhuvan University.

At 54, Ghising is notably younger than Karki, who is 73. Karki's name was initially proposed during a virtual meeting among Gen Z activists on Wednesday, but it did not receive unanimous support.

Ghising has gained traction due to his reputation for integrity and his previous efforts to tackle Nepal’s energy crisis.

The Mayor of Kathmandu, Balendra Shah, a well-known figure among the youth, had previously endorsed Karki in a social media post. However, reports indicate that Shah may not be interested, while Karki has cited both constitutional obstacles and personal hesitations.

In the meantime, President Paudel has committed to resolving the nation’s political turmoil within constitutional bounds.

“I urge all parties to trust that we are working to swiftly address the protesters' concerns and to help maintain peace and order,” he stated in a message released Thursday afternoon.

This statement comes amidst increasing public pressure for a resolution to the ongoing crisis.

On another note, crowds gathered at Tribhuvan International Airport on Thursday, where operations resumed after being suspended due to violent protests.

The immigration department announced that foreign visitors with expired permits after September 8 will be granted free visa extensions to facilitate their travel or prolonged stays in Nepal.

Reports gathered from 15 districts reveal that at least 13,000 prisoners have escaped from jails.

“There is no consolidated record with authorities regarding how many have been recaptured and how many remain free. Many of those still at large are involved in serious crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping, and human trafficking,” it noted.

The youth-led Gen Z movement, which has been at the forefront of the protests, declared that the Parliament must be dissolved and the Constitution amended to better reflect the people's will as the death toll from the demonstrations has risen to 34.

Since Monday, the Himalayan country has been engulfed in unrest as demonstrators protested a ban on social media used to expose allegations of corruption, nepotism, and financial mismanagement against the K. P. S. Oli government.

Though this ban has since been lifted, protests persisted, ultimately leading to Oli's resignation, with his current whereabouts unknown.