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

Last month, Nepal marked a new chapter with the installation of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, while Bangladesh’s Gen Z activists felt a sense of longing as they observed the developments from the sidelines. The Nepalese youth movement, which had toppled the government in a dramatic campaign, now held sway in the political arena, contrasting sharply with Bangladesh, where the same generation’s efforts had yet to translate into meaningful influence.

A Tale of Two Movements

In February, Bangladesh held its first elections after the 2024 student-led uprisings. The established Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a commanding majority, leaving the newly formed National Citizens’ Party (NCP)—born from the protests—struggling for relevance. Meanwhile, just a month later, Nepal’s Gen Z-driven revolution culminated in a landslide victory for the four-year-old Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), catapulting its leader, former rapper Rabi Lamichhane, into power.

“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 Umama Fatema, a Bangladeshi activist.

Fatema, who had participated in the 2024 protests, lamented the lack of lasting political change in Bangladesh. “Bangladesh has not been able to deliver 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,” she added.

The Role of Consistency and Organization

Nepalese youth leaders credit their triumph to sustained engagement with the public. KP Khanal, an RSP candidate who won a seat in Kailali district, emphasized that the movement “tapped into a deep, long-standing frustration with the way things have been run.” He noted the public’s enduring support for the protesters’ demands, which shifted from mere reactions to a credible, unifying force.

Structural Advantages in Nepal

Nepal’s political system, designed to promote coalition governments, created fertile ground for the RSP’s rise. Over the past 17 years, the country had cycled through 14 administrations, with established parties and politicians constantly repositioning themselves. This instability allowed the youth movement’s anti-corruption message to gain traction, positioning the RSP—a relative newcomer—as a viable alternative.

The Power of Alliance

The RSP’s alliance with Balendra Shah, a charismatic but unaffiliated leader, proved pivotal. This partnership not only provided the party with broader reach but also helped mitigate internal controversies, such as Lamichhane’s past accusations of embezzlement. Shah’s appeal rallied voters, while the RSP’s grassroots momentum secured electoral success.

Analyst Perspectives

“In Nepal’s case, since all three established parties, none dominant, were discredited, the main beneficiary has been the youthful RSP and its leader,” observed Nitasha Kaul, director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the University of Westminster. Political analyst Amish Mulmi highlighted the importance of party organization, noting that “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.”

While Bangladesh’s youth movement struggled to replicate Nepal’s success, the contrast underscores the challenges of translating protest energy into political power. As Nepal’s Gen Z politicians ascend, the question remains: what factors will determine whether their influence endures or fades like the echoes of a revolution?