Two protests, two elections: How Nepal’s Gen Z succeeded where Bangladesh’s stumbled

Two protests, two elections: How Nepal’s Gen Z succeeded where Bangladesh’s stumbled

Last month, Nepal’s new prime minister Balendra Shah took office alongside a parliament filled with young lawmakers. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi activist Umama Fatema watched from afar, feeling a sense of frustration as she reflected on the aftermath of her country’s 2024 Gen Z-led protests. Though both nations saw youth-driven uprisings that toppled governments, the outcomes could not have been more different. In Nepal, the movement led to a political breakthrough, while Bangladesh’s efforts have yet to translate into meaningful power for the younger generation.

February’s first election following Bangladesh’s protests saw the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secure a dominant majority, overshadowing the National Citizens’ Party (NCP). This new party, born from the student revolution, struggled to gain traction. In contrast, Nepal’s election just a month later delivered a sweeping victory to the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), a four-year-old group led by Gen Z politicians. The win elevated Balendra Shah, a former rapper who joined forces with the RSP, to the role of prime minister.

“Personally, I felt disheartened,” said Fatema.

“When I saw how effectively [the Nepalese youth] were able to organise themselves, I could not help but feel disappointed about the situation in our own country.”

“Bangladesh has not been able to deliver such a change… it is naturally disheartening to realise that we have not been able to organise and rebuild our country in the same way.”

Nepal’s youth leaders credited their success to a movement that resonated deeply with ordinary citizens. KP Khanal, an RSP candidate who won in Kailali district, explained:

“The Gen Z protests tapped into a deep, long-standing frustration with the way things have been run.”

“At the same time, the sacrifices and voices of Gen Z stayed with the public – they haven’t been forgotten.”

Analysts highlighted Nepal’s political structure as a key factor. The country’s electoral system favors coalition governments, leaving no single party in power for extended periods. Over 17 years, Nepal shifted through 14 administrations, with established parties and politicians taking turns in what critics called political musical chairs. This environment allowed the RSP, a relative newcomer, to emerge as a credible alternative to the discredited status quo.

Nitasha Kaul, director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the University of Westminster, noted:

“In Nepal’s case, since all three established parties, none dominant, were discredited, the main beneficiary has been the youthful RSP and its leader.”

The alliance between Shah and the RSP provided critical resources for the campaign, helping the party overcome past controversies. Rabi Lamichhane, the RSP’s leader, had faced accusations of embezzlement, but the partnership with Shah, a charismatic figure without a formal party structure, bolstered their appeal.

Purushottam Suprabhat Yadav, a youth activist, expressed concerns about the challenges ahead. When asked to co-found a new party after the protests, he declined.

“Winning an election is not a joke. Organising a movement and emerging victorious in an election are two different things,”

Yadav said. His hesitation underscores the difficulty of transforming protest energy into sustainable political influence, especially in a region where party organisation remains vital.