Nepal’s Gen-Z protest movement split into two factions on Thursday over the interim Prime Minister selection, leading to violent clashes outside Army Headquarters that left several young protesters injured.
One faction has rejected former Chief Justice Sushila Karki’s candidacy for interim PM, alleging she is pro-India and unacceptable to their group. This faction demands Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah become Prime Minister, with Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang as their alternative candidate if Shah declines.
The disagreement has created a deadlock in ongoing negotiations at Army Headquarters, which have continued for two days between military officials and protest groups. One faction is now demanding talks be shifted from Army Headquarters to the Presidential Palace.
Gen-Z Leaders Emerge
Two days after the coup, Gen-Z leaders Anil Baniya and Diwakar Dangal publicly surfaced on Thursday. They stated that youth launched these protests out of frustration with elderly political leaders, clarifying their objective is not constitutional reform but complete dissolution of Parliament.
The internal divisions within the protest movement complicate Nepal’s political crisis, as authorities struggle to find consensus among the young protesters who successfully toppled the previous government through their demonstrations.
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