Two protests, two elections: How Nepal’s Gen Z succeeded where Bangladesh’s stumbled

Two protests, two elections: How Nepal’s Gen Z succeeded where Bangladesh’s stumbled

Last month, Nepal marked a significant political milestone with the swearing-in of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, alongside a parliament filled with young representatives. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi activist Umama Fatema watched the event with a sense of regret. Fatema was part of the Gen Z-led demonstrations in Bangladesh that shook the government in 2024. Despite similar mass protests in both nations, the outcomes diverged sharply. Two years after the protests, Bangladesh’s youth movement has not translated into meaningful political influence, while Nepal’s has.

In February’s first election following the demonstrations, the established Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a dominant victory. The youth-driven National Citizens’ Party (NCP), born from the student-led uprising, struggled to make an impact. This contrast highlights Nepal’s recent triumph, where the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), a four-year-old group, won decisively. The result brought numerous Gen Z politicians into the legislature and positioned Shah, who partnered with the RSP, as the nation’s leader.

Analysts attribute Nepal’s success to the movement’s deep connection with the public. KP Khanal, a RSP representative from Kailali district, noted that the protests “addressed a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the way things have been run.” The persistence of Gen Z advocates in demanding accountability and justice helped solidify their credibility. “Consistency was vital,” Khanal added. “Our message spread beyond just reacting to the status quo—it became a movement people believed in.”

“In Nepal’s case, since all three established parties, none dominant, were discredited, the main beneficiary has been the youthful RSP and its leader,” said Nitasha Kaul, director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the University of Westminster.

The country’s political structure, designed to support coalition governments, played a role. Nepal has seen 14 administrations in 17 years, with power frequently shifting among a few parties. The public’s anger over corruption, amplified by the protests, focused on the old guard. By aligning with Shah, the RSP gained access to resources and reach, despite Rabi Lamichhane’s past embezzlement charges. The alliance with a charismatic leader helped overshadow internal issues.

Amish Mulmi, a Nepalese political analyst, highlighted the importance of party organization in South Asia. “A youth-led party would likely need to build a robust structure before achieving widespread success, especially in its debut,” he observed. This insight aligns with Purushottam Suprabhat Yadav’s perspective. When asked to join a new party after the 2024 protests, Yadav hesitated. “Winning an election isn’t a joke,” he said. “Organizing a movement and winning an election are two distinct challenges.”