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
