Kathmandu, 11 Sep: The search for a new head of government has begun at Jangi Adda, the headquarters of the Nepali Army, in the wake of the anti-corruption Gen Z protests. The Gen Z representatives, who were called for discussions before holding formal talks with President Ram Chandra Poudel, discussed the future of the country at Jangi Adda and presented a blueprint for the country.
According to a senior Nepali Army official, after nearly nine hours of discussions, the name of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has been proposed by the Gen Z representatives to lead the government.
“They have proposed the name of the honorable sir, although talks are still to be held with some groups,” the official said. “Further process will proceed after talks with them on Thursday morning.”
On Wednesday evening, as soon as the details of the Gen Z representative proposing Karki’s name became public, a group went outside the military base and chanted slogans. The army even had to use mikes to control the situation.
Confusion of Gen Z representative
According to military officials, there have been problems in some cases with communication due to the large number of representatives contacting them to come for talks.
The army had summoned most of those who had registered for talks soon after the president’s call for talks on Wednesday. However, after more than 20 people gathered around 10 am, Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel asked them to sit separately first and come up with a common opinion.
“It’s difficult to talk with many people at once, so please gather together first and then come,” the source quoted him as saying. “If possible, appoint one person as a coordinator and come.”
The army then provided a hall for the Gen Z representatives to sit separately and discuss. During that time, some discussed what the next government would be like.
According to sources, they also discussed whether the country’s future would be a republic or a monarchy. Raksha Bam, who walked out of the ongoing discussion at the military base, said that she and some friends left after the discussion was carried out against the minimum spirit of the movement.
According to sources, her reference is to the proposal to restore the monarchy during the discussions. According to sources, one side proposed to restore the king, saying that federalism and secularism should be abolished.
The other side argued that Gen Z did not seek an alternative to the republic and that the movement was targeted at the style of its leaders.
“This was not a movement against the system, it was to find a way out of this system. We will continue to improve it,” said a young man from Gen Z who participated in the talks. “However, when I spoke in favor of improving the republic, those on the royalist side stopped me.”
At the same time, the republican Gen Z representatives were of the opinion that a civilian government should be formed under the leadership of an independent and acceptable person.
“There was a point that priority should be given to the families of martyrs and those injured in the movement,” the source said. “In some cases, the discussion even delved into personal issues.”
According to sources, a small number of young people who were in the minority had also voted to find a way out of the current parliament. According to sources, Om Prakash Aryal, who is also the legal advisor to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, was also present during the talks.
Gen Z youth had sought their advice on the legal challenges that might arise during the formation of the new government. After nearly nine hours of discussion, it was finally agreed to advance Sushila Karki.
Pressure was mounting on the representatives participating in the discussion to form a civilian government, including through Discord, a social network where youth have united for the Gen Z movement. Gen Z youth were having a dialogue and ‘digital voting’ on Discord throughout the day. In which the name of former Chief Justice Karki came to the fore.
The Army’s Effort to Include All Sides
The Nepal Army, during the ongoing talks, is also trying to bring in Durga Prasai, Harka Sampang, and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) led by Rabi Lamichhane.
Sushila Karki Balen Shah
“If these parties are left out, problems could arise again in the future. That’s why, in some way or another, their voices should also be heard,” a military source said. Following this policy, Durga Prasai also visited the Army Headquarters at Jangi Adda in the afternoon.
Prasai even made public a photo of his meeting with Chief of Army Staff Sigdel. On social media, he mentioned that he had a deep discussion with Sigdel about the country’s current situation and the road ahead. “My conclusion after this long discussion is clear—I have no desire for leadership,” he said. “Whatever solution works for the country, that is my priority.”
He said that, respecting the voice of Generation Z, he would accept either Balen or Sushila Karki—or whoever’s leadership is chosen. After him, Harka Sampang also met the Chief of Army Staff at Jangi Adda, where he too raised concerns of the citizens.
Senior officials of the Nepal Army have been saying that the problems must be resolved through dialogue. They claim the Army’s role is only to facilitate. According to Army officials, after discussions at the headquarters, a consensus will be formed and dialogue will then take place with the President.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah also, on Tuesday afternoon, wrote on social media that he was ready to hold talks with the Army Chief, but for that, Parliament must first be dissolved.
“Now it is your generation that must lead the country, be ready,” he had said. Following this, the Office of the President issued a statement calling on the Gen Z group to come for talks.
In that process, many groups contacted the President’s Office and the Nepal Army, each claiming to be representatives of Gen Z.
