Former Nepal PM Oli, ex-Home Minister Lekhak arrested over Gen Z protest killings Former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested on charges of negligent killings during the Gen Z protests in September 2025, according to police. The arrests followed formal complaints filed by the Home Ministry and were linked to the recommendations of a probe commission that investigated the incidents during the uprising. The probe commission’s report, which was leaked to the media before the swearing-in of the new government, outlined findings that led to the arrests. The protests, which erupted in late 2025, resulted in 76 deaths, including 19 fatalities from police firing on September 8. The new government, led by Balendra Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, was sworn in six months after the protests. Shah, who won a landslide victory in the March 5 elections, appointed Sudhan Gurung as Home Minister. Gurung, a prominent figure during the Gen Z protests, filed a complaint against Oli and Lekhak in October 2025, prompting the implementation of the probe commission’s recommendations. Oli was taken into custody from his residence in Gundu, while Lekhak was arrested in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur. The arrests were announced a day after the Shah government’s formation, with the Cabinet’s first meeting on March 27, 2026, deciding to act on the commission’s findings. Sasmit Pokharel, the newly appointed Education Minister and government spokesperson, confirmed that relevant agencies were directed to follow the recommendations. Home Minister Gurung had held late-night consultations with the heads of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force before the arrests. If found guilty, Oli, Lekhak, and Gurung could face up to 10 years in prison.#rastriya_swatantra_party #balendra_shah #former_nepal_pm_oli #former_home_minister_lekhak #gen_z_protests
Balen Shah Takes Oath As Nepal's Youngest PM At 35 After Landslide Win Balen Shah, a 35-year-old former mayor of Kathmandu, was sworn in as Nepal's youngest prime minister following a decisive electoral victory. The ceremony, held in the capital, marked the first time a Madhesi leader—someone from the southern plains bordering India—has assumed the top role in the Himalayan nation, which lies between India and China. Shah, representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), secured 182 seats in the 275-member parliament, a result that reshaped Nepal's political landscape. His election ended decades of dominance by traditional parties and reflected the country's shift toward younger, reform-minded leadership. Shah's swearing-in speech emphasized his commitment to the constitution and the people, stating, "I pledge to be loyal to the constitution and fulfill my duty as the prime minister." The event featured traditional elements, including chanting Hindu priests and Buddhist monks in red robes, underscoring the cultural significance of the moment. His rise to power followed a wave of youth-led protests that erupted in 2025, demanding an end to corruption and a more transparent government. These demonstrations, driven by frustrations over unemployment and systemic graft, led to the collapse of the previous administration and paved the way for Shah's RSP to dominate the March 5 elections. The political realignment saw the Nepali Congress, Nepal's oldest party, relegated to second place with just 38 seats, while the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) secured 25 seats. The RSP's victory signaled a rejection of established political elites and a preference for fresh leadership.#nepal #balen_shah #rastriya_swatantra_party #kathmandu #narendra_moddi
Balendra Shah Sworn In As Nepal's Youngest Prime Minister Nepal’s youngest prime minister, Balendra Shah, took the oath of office on Friday, March 27, 2026, following his party’s decisive victory in parliamentary elections held earlier that month. His Rastriya Swatantra Party secured nearly two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, marking a significant political shift in the Himalayan nation. The swearing-in ceremony took place at 12:34 p.m., coinciding with the celebration of Ram Navami, a Hindu festival commemorating the birth of Lord Rama. Shah, a structural engineer and former rapper who previously served as Kathmandu’s mayor, was appointed by President Ram Chandra Paudel. His rise to prominence was closely tied to the youth-led uprising that toppled the previous government in September 2025. Though he did not actively participate in the protests, Shah publicly endorsed the movement, which was driven by Generation Z activists and resulted in widespread unrest, leaving dozens of casualties. His leadership during the crisis positioned him as a key figure in Nepal’s political landscape. The election results reflect a broader shift in public sentiment, with Shah’s party capitalizing on the momentum generated by the protests. The party’s victory underscores the growing influence of younger generations in shaping Nepal’s governance. Shah’s appointment as prime minister marks a pivotal moment in the country’s history, as he now faces the challenge of addressing economic reforms, social issues, and regional dynamics. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Shah, emphasizing the importance of strengthening India-Nepal ties.#nepal #rastriya_swatantra_party #balendra_shah #kathmandu #ram_chandra_paudel
PM Modi congratulates Nepal Government, people for successful polls Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to the people and government of Nepal for conducting the country’s general elections successfully, calling the milestone a proud moment in Nepal’s democratic journey. Modi highlighted the peaceful nature of the polls and praised the citizens for exercising their democratic rights, emphasizing India’s unwavering support for Nepal’s progress. The elections, held amid domestic challenges and regional geopolitical dynamics, marked Nepal’s first general elections since the violent Gen Z protests of the previous year. The results indicated a significant shift in political power, with rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) emerging as a dominant force. The RSP, formed in 2022 by Ravi Lamichhane, secured 39 of the 50 seats declared so far, including a complete sweep in 10 constituencies of Kathmandu district. The party is also leading in 80 other constituencies, according to the Election Commission of Nepal. Shah, projected as the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate, launched its first election campaign in Janakpur, Madhesh, signaling a new phase in Nepal’s political landscape. The RSP’s rise challenges the traditional dominance of established political parties, reflecting a growing public appetite for change. Modi’s remarks underscored India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nepal, framing the elections as an opportunity to deepen cooperation in areas such as peace, prosperity, and regional stability. The outcome of the polls is expected to reshape Nepal’s political direction, with the RSP’s success highlighting the influence of younger generations in reshaping the nation’s governance.#rastriya_swatantra_party #balendra_shah #prime_minister_narendra_modi #nepal_government #election_commission_of_nepal
Tale Of Two Protests: How Balen Shah Trumped In Nepal, But Bangladesh's Students' Party Failed The protests in Bangladesh and Nepal, two nations separated by the narrow Siliguri corridor, shared a common objective: dismantling the existing political system. However, the outcomes diverged sharply, with Nepal witnessing a surge in support for an outsider while Bangladesh’s student-led movement failed to translate its revolutionary energy into electoral success. In Nepal, rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is poised for a sweeping victory in the country’s first general elections since the Gen Z-led protests. This marks a significant shift, as established political parties have been sidelined. Shah, 35, rose to prominence through his music critiquing social and political corruption, and his campaign has resonated with young voters. His refusal to take the prime minister’s post during the protests further solidified his image as an authentic alternative to traditional politicians. In contrast, Bangladesh’s student movement, which ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, struggled to create a viable political force. The newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), led by student activists, failed to gain traction in the subsequent elections. Instead, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman—son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia—reclaimed power. Rahman, who had spent 17 years in political exile, positioned himself as a reformer with a clear vision for the country, despite his ties to the old regime. The differences in outcomes stemmed from the nature of the movements. Bangladesh’s protests were driven by organized groups like Jamaat-e-Islami’s Chhatra Shibir, which had clear political goals.#rastriya_swatantra_party #balendra_shah #sheikh_hasina #bangladesh_nationalist_party #tarique_rahman
'We voted for you, now do your job': Nepal’s Gen Z warn new leaders KATHMANDU: For many young Nepalis, Friday’s historic verdict came with a clear call for the Himalayan country’s new leaders: “We voted for you. Now get to work.” In Kathmandu, there were no dhols or gulal left over from Holi to be sprayed in celebration. The city moved in its usual rhythm even as the scale of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)’s sweep became clear. The generation that drove the Sept 2025 uprising and forced a snap election said the “old parties had been punished,” but the deeper issues that brought them onto the streets—corruption, unemployment, weak public services, nepotism, political impunity, and the lack of opportunities—remained unresolved. With 35-year-old Balen Shah set to become prime minister, many young voters and protest leaders said the mandate would mean little unless it translated into visible change. Amrita Ban, 23, one of the Gen Z activists at the forefront of the Sept protests, said the new leadership could not afford to repeat the old parties’ habit of selling “false hope and false promises of turning Nepal into Switzerland.” She said: “The old leadership failed because it did not deliver. The new ones have to prove themselves through action and delivery. We’re watching.” For Ban, the first test would not be grand speeches or symbolic gestures, but whether people began to feel change in everyday life. “What we are asking for is basic—an environment to live in our own country. Fix corruption, healthcare, and education.” Niraj Adhikari, 28, a construction supervisor who returned from Qatar just in time to vote, narrowly avoiding the flight disruptions caused by the war in West Asia, said the result would matter only if it slowed outward migration. “It is now our duty to build this nation.#rastriya_swatantra_party #balen_shah #amrita_ban #niraj_adhikari #majid_ansari
