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

In Nepal, the recent installation of Prime Minister Balendra Shah alongside a parliament brimming with young legislators sparked a sense of dismay among Bangladeshi activist Umama Fatema, who observed from a distance. Fatema was part of the thousands of Gen Z protesters in Bangladesh who led a significant uprising in 2024. Similar to Nepal’s youth-driven demonstrations, they dismantled their government through intense public movements. However, nearly two years later, Bangladesh’s youth movement has not translated into substantial political influence. In the country’s first post-protest elections held in February, the long-standing Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a dominant majority, while the newly formed youth-led National Citizens’ Party (NCP) struggled to gain traction.

A Tale of Two Movements

The stark difference between the two nations lies in the outcomes of their respective protests. Nepal’s Gen Z-led campaign culminated in a major electoral win for the four-year-old Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which propelled many young politicians into parliament. Former rapper Shah, who partnered with the RSP, became the country’s leader. This marks a rare triumph for youth in Asia, where numerous protests have occurred but few have resulted in such a clear political shift.

“Personally, I felt disheartened. When I saw how effectively [the Nepalese youth] were able to organise themselves, I could not help but feel disappointed about the situation in our own country,” said Fatema. “Bangladesh has not been able to deliver a such a change… it is naturally disheartening to realise that we have not been able to organise and rebuild our country in the same way.”

Strategies and Political Context

Nepalese youth leaders credit their movement’s success to its deep connection with the public. KP Khanal, an RSP representative who won a seat in Kailali district, noted that the protests “tapped into a deep, long-standing frustration with the way things have been run.” The message of accountability and justice resonated widely, transforming the movement from a reaction into a credible force. Analysts emphasize that Nepal’s political system, which favors coalition governments, allowed the RSP to thrive as an outsider.

For years, Nepal has seen 14 governments in 17 years, driven by shifting alliances among established parties. The public’s growing frustration with corruption, highlighted by the Gen Z protests, shifted focus toward the political establishment. The RSP, a relative newcomer, emerged as a viable alternative. “In Nepal’s case, since all three established parties, none dominant, were discredited, the main beneficiary has been the youthful RSP and its leader,” explained Nitasha Kaul, director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the University of Westminster.

Challenges in Bangladesh

Nepal’s youth movement leveraged its alliance with Shah, a charismatic leader without a formal party structure. This partnership helped the RSP overcome past controversies, including accusations against its leader, Rabi Lamichhane. In contrast, Bangladesh’s youth-led efforts lacked such strategic alignment. “In a larger South Asian context, where party organisation is extremely important, a youth-led party would likely have to build an extensive party structure before it could achieve widespread electoral success, especially in its first outing,” said Nepali political analyst Amish Mulmi.

Even within Nepal, some Gen Z activists questioned whether their movement had fully prepared for electoral politics. Purushottam Suprabhat Yadav, a youth leader, declined to join the new party, stating, “Winning an election is not a joke. Organising a movement and emerging victorious in an election are two different things.” His perspective underscores the challenges faced by youth in transforming protest into power, a hurdle that Bangladesh’s movement continues to grapple with.