Kathmandu Mayor appeals for peace; endorses appointing former chief justice as interim govt head
Nepal’s Youth Revolution: Balen Shah Urges Calm Amid Push for Interim Government
In the heart of Kathmandu, rapper-turned-politician and Mayor Balen Shah is calling on Nepal’s Gen Z and everyone else to stay calm as the country gears up for a big political shift. With talks heating up about forming an interim government to handle upcoming elections, Shah took to social media to rally the nation.
Shah praised the youth for stepping up during this "unprecedented political phase." He backed the idea of appointing former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the head of the interim setup, calling it a smart and mature pick by the younger generation. "Your awareness, judgment, and unity deserve deep respect," he wrote in his post, aimed straight at Gen Z and the wider Nepali public.
But Shah had a clear message for ambitious politicians: don’t rush in. He stressed that their energy should fuel long-term change, not short-term fixes. "Elections will happen. Please don’t be in a hurry," he added, urging patience.
In a bold move, Shah directly appealed to Nepal’s President to dissolve Parliament right away and set up the interim government. He wants to safeguard what he calls a "historic revolution" driven by Gen Z, amid rising calls for political reform and youth-led movements across the country.
Gen Z Leaders Divided on Next Steps After PM Oli’s Exit
This comes as Nepal’s Gen Z activists remain split on who should lead the next government. As of Wednesday evening, they hadn’t agreed on a name, even with a key meeting lined up with top Nepal Army leaders. The army stepped in to keep law and order after Tuesday’s chaos in Kathmandu, inviting protest leaders for talks following Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s resignation under intense youth protests.
Gen Z groups have been in heated internal discussions to pick an apolitical figure for the interim role. Names floating around include Kul Man Ghising, former Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, and Harka Sampang, Mayor of Dharan City. Rabi Kiran Hamal, a Gen Z leader tied to the royalist Rastriya Prajatantra Party, told reporters he pushes for a youth rep to take the helm.
Who is Sushila Karki? Nepal’s Trailblazing Former Chief Justice
At 73, Sushila Karki made history as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice in April 2016. She served until June 2017 but faced a rough patch when lawmakers from Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre) tried to impeach her over an alleged biased verdict. Karki bounced back strong, playing a key role in removing the head of Nepal’s anti-corruption body on eligibility issues. Many see her as a tough, determined leader.
Political Parties Weigh In on the Crisis
Nepali Congress heavyweights Gagan Thapa and Bishow Prakash Sharma issued a statement Wednesday, saying any emergency decisions must follow constitutional and legal paths. They stressed sticking to the "doctrine of necessity" without breaking rules.
Prison Breaks Add to the Chaos in Nepal
The unrest took a wild turn with major security breaches. Nepal Police reported over 13,500 inmates escaping from prisons nationwide on Tuesday and Wednesday, as protests paralyzed the force. "More than 500 people held for criminal probes also slipped away," said Police Spokesperson DIG Binod Ghimire.
Ghimire noted the situation stabilized mostly on Wednesday, though Kathmandu Valley saw the worst of it. As Nepal navigates this youth-driven push for change, all eyes are on how the interim government takes shape and restores order.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
