Mid-term election: Old vs new parties

 As the nation gears up for March 5,2026 general elections, the challenges for the old generation leaders and the new generation leaders to lure the voters towards them have been more noticeable. It is perhaps one of the most important elections in the history of the country. A generational clash is imminent in this election, and this clash would decide the future of known political figures in the country.

 

Who knew what had started as a protest against the social media ban would turn out to be another Jana Andolan in the political history. On September 8, Gen-Zs came out to protest against the Oli led government’s blanket ban on social media, such as X, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook. Their protests were met with fierce state power mercilessly killing 19 young protestors. This first day’s violent episode was the trigger for a much wider movement in the second day killing 76 people pushing the nation into political chaos and into constitutional vacuum. The then government was compelled to reverse its decision and revoke the ban, but the loss of life did not go well with the population. On September 9, thousands of people were on the streets, attacked and burnt down government institutions, business complexes and political leaders’ residences forcing Prime Minister, K.P. Oli, to resign and escape in an army helicopter. 

As the voters now seem to be enthusiastic to participate in the upcoming polls, the question remains to be answered whether the younger generations of new parties will be able to side-line the senior leaders of the big parties. Also, it remains to be seen whether the outcome of this mid-term election will help to calm down the Gen-Z’s voices and meet their demands or fail to address their demands triggering more violent street protests and plunging the nation into a deep political crisis.