Can the Balen-Rabi wave survive its own friction?

Nepal's political system experienced a seismic shift following the "2025 Gen Z uprising," which dismantled the long-standing dominance of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and Maoist parties. These traditional parties had governed in intervals, often relying on coalition arithmetic to maintain power, which critics argue led to instability, corruption, and patronage. The uprising culminated in the formation of a new government under former chief justice Sushila Karki, facilitated by the Army Chief at the behest of Balendra (Balen) Shah, a rapper and former mayor of Kathmandu.

The subsequent mid-term election, mandated to be held within six months, saw a dramatic electoral outcome. Voters, disillusioned with the status quo, propelled a new party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), to power. Led by former television anchor Rabi Lamichhane and bolstered by Shah's popularity among youth, the RSP secured an almost two-thirds majority. Shah's tactical entry into the RSP as the prime ministerial candidate proved electrifying, signaling a decisive rejection of the old political guard.

Despite this upheaval, internal party dynamics continue to create friction. Within the Nepali Congress, second-generation leaders have attempted to revitalize the party by challenging the leadership of Sher Bahadur Deuba. However, their efforts to usher in new leadership and dynamism have been met with resistance. The general secretaries, Gagan Thapa and Biswa Prakash Sharma, even convened a Special Party Convention to elect new leaders, defying Deuba's authority. Their subsequent unanimous election as president and vice-president, respectively, signals a potential shift within the party, though the broader impact on Nepal's political stability remains to be seen.

The article suggests that the "Balen-Rabi wave" faces its own internal challenges. The old political parties are described as being infested with internal feuds and atrophy, failing to adapt to new leadership. This internal strife, coupled with the rise of new political forces, indicates a period of significant transition and potential volatility in Nepali politics. The end of the three-party dominance, while promising change, also brings the challenge of consolidating power and addressing the deep-seated issues that fueled the initial uprising.