Army Points Guns at Gen-Z Protesters Amidst Nepal’s Political Turmoil

Even after the resignation of KP Sharma Oli, political tensions continue to run high in Kathmandu. The Generation-Z faction in Nepal remains divided over supporting former Chief Justice Sushila Karki for the post of interim Prime Minister. Many protesters from Gen-Z gathered near the Army Headquarters to press their demands, prompting the army to take precautionary measures by pointing guns at the demonstrators. Snipers have positioned themselves on all roads leading to the headquarters to prevent any untoward incidents. Meanwhile, the Army Chief has invited Karki for discussions regarding the formation of the interim government, and once these talks conclude, both are expected to meet President Ramchandra Paudel.

The dispute over Karki’s nomination stems from internal disagreements within Gen-Z itself. While the group held an online vote in her favor, a significant portion of its members do not support her candidacy. Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah has endorsed Karki, but the issue remains unresolved. Other political actors, including the Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu and Durga Prasai, a monarchy supporter, have also shown interest in the position. Prasai has even met with the Army Chief, claiming that his group will take responsibility if no consensus is reached.

Former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and KP Sharma Oli have emphasized that all decisions must align with Nepal’s Constitution. Former PM Baburam Bhattarai has stated that a meeting of the House of Representatives should be convened, as per constitutional requirements. The Constitution of Nepal specifies that an interim government cannot be formed unless the House of Representatives is dissolved, a power that rests with the President. Therefore, the final decision on forming the interim government will ultimately lie with President Paudel.