Permanent crisis (current year) [partially commented link collection]

Since the Delhi Agreement between seven parliamentary parties and the insurgent CPN (Maoist) of 22 November 2005, the people of Nepal have been waiting in vain for the promised realisation of an inclusive democratic system. Although the then putsching monarchy was abolished and a constitution was passed in 2015 after long power struggles between the political parties, even this was the sole work of the exclusively male leaders of the three major parties, predominantly male Bahuns. The appropriate participation of all social groups, as provided for in the interim constitution of January 2007, did not take place. In this respect, the constitution of 2015 even represented in part a step backwards compared to the interim constitution.
Thus, apart from the abolition of the monarchy, not much has changed since the 1990 system. Numerous fundamental human rights continue to be disregarded. There is no inclusion of all social groups. All power and the majority of all state functions are still in the hands of male Khas Arya, especially male Bahuns.  The latter make up hardly 6 percent of the population, but the identification of the state and its society and culture, in short the nationalist image of the state of Nepal, is still based on the culture and partly narrow-minded, anarchic, patriarchal and socially discriminating view and thinking of this small minority. As long as this state of affairs continues and the failed generation of political leaders of all parties is not replaced by a younger generation that is inclusive, open-minded, receptive and not exclusively oriented towards personal power interests, there will be no end to the crisis situation.

Since today's political parties and their leaders are proven to be disinterested in solving the crisis and, to make matters worse, supporters of the long-failed systems of monarchy and Hindu state are trying to use the failure of politics to revitalise their own interests, the title of this sub-page has been changed from Crisis solution to Permanent crisis.

04/02/2026: Ministry grants Rs 21,800 monthly to 42 Gen Z martyr families (nn), Health insurance in crisis due to government itself : Failure to implement legal provisions deprives poor citizens of even basic treatment services, by Uddab Thapa (nn), Prime ministerial debate: Harbinger of a good political culture, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Nepali Army leaving barracks for election security starting today : Compared to the 2022 elections, a higher number of polling stations have been designated ‘highly sensitive’ this time, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Are provinces expensive? Provinces are not costly; they are under-resourced relative to their constitutional responsibilities, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), ‘Ask not what your country can do for you’ : Nepal has the democracy it collectively enables, not the one it claims to want nor the one it imagines, by Suman Joshi (kp), Women in politics : It’s a shame that the parties promising change never look into women's representation seriously, by Sugan Gautam (kp), Voters fear possible booth capture and ballot manipulation : Security agencies say high-security measures have been planned for the upcoming elections, by Arjun Shah (kp), Polling in mountain-area centres may be deferred if weather worsens : PM Karki says voters in sparsely populated areas will be transported to cast ballots (kp), PM Karki's Test Of Statesmanship, by Namrata Sharma (rn)

03/02/2026: Dalits in election manifestos : Parties would do well to implement the various constitutional provisions made to uplift Dalits, by Mitra Pariyar (kp), Unfulfilled promise of inclusion : The demoralising number of women on the candidacy list for the March elections cannot be overlooked, by Shreeti KC (kp), KP Oli faces uncertainty in long-held Jhapa-5 seat, by Gyanu Ghimire (kh), KP Oli seeks return as PM, but flagship hospital promise remains largely unfulfilled, by Pawan Mudbhari (kh), Populism eclipses expertise as capable candidates struggle for attention ahead of polls (kh), Outpatient coverage drastically slashed under government’s health insurance : From February 13, the scheme will cover only up to Rs25,000 for outpatient care, but inpatient and emergency coverage remain up to Rs100,000, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Livestock farming in crisis as China tightens cross-border grazing : Nepali herders are facing harassment in Tibet despite a 2012 deal to allow grazing within 30 km on both sides , by Basant Pratap Singh (kp), Gen Z pressure forced me to pick certain ministers, PM tells upper house : The prime minister revealed that the names inducted under pressure included Mahabir Pun, Kulman Ghising, Jagdish Kharel and Bablu Gupta (kp), Rights defenders urge parties to prioritise transitional justice in poll agendas : They said past governments have treated transitional justice as a political tool (kp), Four top leaders in talks as March poll draws near, by Tapendra Karki (rep) [Another attempt to manipulate the elections?], PM Karki clarifies election can be held in the second phase if weather conditions are unfavourable (rep), Improve Capital Expenditure, by Uttam Maharjan (rn)

02/02/2026: Nepal at Fragile Crossroads: Elections and Prospects Ahead, by Asmita Chapagain (kh), Gen-Z youth enter politics: Opportunity or token gesture?, by Kabita Shrestha (kh) [They may be referred to as youth, but they still belong to the older half of the Nepalese population, as the constitution and electoral law exclude people under the age of 25 from passive voting rights, which is completely unusual for a democratic state!], Post-conflict elections are always challenging : Leaders will only follow the election code of conduct when they are compelled to do so by legislation, interview with Bhojraj Pokharel, former chief election commissioner (kp), Reminiscing last week: Power, accountability, and politics (kh), Two youths in Chitwan receive citizenship in mother’s name (kh) [What is being celebrated as a first-time event should really be completely normal. In a democracy that claims there is no legal difference between women and men, all children of Nepalese mothers should automatically be entitled to unrestricted Nepalese citizenship, regardless of their father's nationality. The same applies to children of Nepalese fathers, doesn't it?], Millions exposed to lead in toothpaste, sindoor and eyeliners : Even popular brands in Nepal found laced with highly toxic metal that can damage the brain, kidneys, nervous system, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Politics of discouragement : There is a need for nuanced debates on how best to contain the spread of misogyny online (kp), Youth leaders voice hope for Nepal’s political future (rep), Govt allocates Rs 530 million to repair 32 buildings damaged during Gen Z movement (rep), Oli, Deuba, and Dahal hold meeting ahead of elections, by Tapendra Karki (rep) [????]

01/02/2026: Women election candidates in Nepal face abuse and vitriol : The few women politicians who were given tickets to contest direct election are dealing with scrutiny over their bodies and identities, by Aarya Chand (kp), Women leaders demand end to systemic exclusion from Nepali politics : More than 300 participants at a public dialogue highlight barriers to women’s political participation and sign petitions demanding equal representation in decision-making roles (kp), One must not lose nation in pursuit of winning, by Kalyan Shrestha (kh), HoR elections: Parties step up efforts to woo young voters (kh) [How can parties that deny people under 40 direct political participation seek to win their favour? It's a mockery!], Patriotism or political theatrics? The growing misuse of Nepal’s national flag, by Akhilesh Tripathi (nn), Guterres warning of ‘UN financial collapse’ rings alarm bells in Nepal : Along with a drop in the number of Nepali peacekeepers, programmes related to health, education, disaster response, poverty reduction, and governance reforms will be hit, by Anil Giri (kp), The lure of leadership : To understand its features, we should take a psychopolitical approach, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Parties fail to streamline campaign agendas as March 5 polls near : Public opinion is divided over Sept 8 killings and Sept 9 destruction, but parties are unable to show their clear standing, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [At least for the old parties responsible for the disaster of recent years, manifestos have never had any significance after the elections. Their inability to change, to bring about a socially inclusive generational reform and to respond to the demands of Gen Z makes it all too clear that Nepal has no future with these politicians and parties, apart from perhaps the NC, which alone was capable of a revolution within the party.], Maoist party unveils manifesto as it enters electoral race for the first time (kh), A mandate for economic course correction : The country cannot afford expensive elections in quick succession, by Nischal Dhungel (kp), Weak Diplomacy, Heavy Burden (rep), Private sectors urge pro-investment policies in party election manifestos (rep), Madhav Nepal running from Rautahat for sixth parliamentary term : His candidacy has been a topic of local debate as voters and political activists deal with questions not just of development and governance, but of legal accountability and integrity, by Shiva Puri (kp), Full text of SC order on social justice released (rn)

31/01/2026: Quake-hit families struggle in flimsy huts as politicians make election promises : Families have endured freezing winters, rising debts, and reconstruction delays for over two years, by Krishna Prasad Gautam (kp),  No certainty March 5 polls will put country back on track: Yogesh Bhattarai (kh) [The return of the failed old faces would certainly be the worst-case scenario!], Can Old Habits Overcome New Challenges?, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Defeating anti-federalism forces like RSP in Madhesh will honors the martyrs: CK Raut (kh), Govt struggles to spend capital budget in first half of current FY (rep)

30/01/2026: Without federalizing parties, elections cannot fix constitutional failures, by Bipin Adhikari (kh) [!!!!], Artists step into parliamentary race, reshaping Nepal’s election narrative (kh) [Are they truly worthy representatives of the country's multi-ethnic and multicultural society who understand the issues of the common people?], Nepal’s sexual and gender minority stakes its claim in national politics : Newer political parties are giving them greater space in upcoming polls amid the reluctance of the old ones to do so, by Aarya Chand (kp) , Who deserves to be a martyr? Nepal’s unsettled debate : Instead of fulfilling martyrs’ dreams, complaints are rising that martyrs are being “farmed”, by Gopal Dahal (nn), Reflections on Congress special convention : It approved an ambitious plan to strengthen the party and as well as democracy in the country, by Naresh Koirala (kp), From the Cold War to Gen Z: Nepal’s Long Struggle with External Influence, by Narayan Upadhyay (kp), Experts call for clear education reforms in party manifestos, by Ruby Rauniyar (rep), Development Thru Ethical Governance, by Lok Nath Bhusal (rn), Martyrs' Day: Dignity And Responsibility, by Aditya Tiwari and Yuwaditya N. Tiwari (rn), Blood, fire, and the ballot, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), New vs New in Nepal : This is an election for a chief executive as personality cult takes over politics, by Sonia Awale (nt)

29/01/2026: Rights body wronged : When the state fails to prosecute human rights violators, impunity becomes the unofficial law of the land (kp), The Missing Voices in Nepal’s Gen Z Uprising, by Simone Galimberti (rep), Concerns of stakeholders: Elections that ignore core issues may fail to deliver solutions (kh), Upcoming House election explained : 18.9 million voters deciding the fate of 6,619 candidates combined, under the first-past-the-post and the proportional representation systems, by Binod Ghimire (kp), HoR election highlights sharp generational divide as Gen-Z candidates face veteran leaders (kh), More youth candidates seeking voters’ trust in Madhesh, breaking past trends (nn), Rukum East battleground: Prachanda fights for survival in a fracturing stronghold (nn) [As part of the failed old generation of politicians, PK Dahal and his Maoist-claimed communist parties have more or less lost their raison d'être. In 1996, Rukum was part of the heartland of the nascent Maoist insurgency, but for the people there, not much has changed to this day.], Time for Public Debates in Nepal’s Election (rep), Debating with those who fired on citizens is immoral: Pukar Bam (rep) [No, rather, this is an ideal opportunity before the elections to mercilessly expose the crimes, lies and shortcomings of the failed old politicians!], NC Vice-Prez Sharma says party ready for Prime Ministerial debate (rep), Health insurance services hit as major hospitals suspend treatment over financial, policy gaps, by Pawan Mudbhari (kh), Two army helicopters stranded in India for two years : Even the army leadership is unaware of the current status of helicopters sent to India for repair two years ago, by Khila Nath Dhakal (nn) [??]

28/01/2026: The obliquity of majoritarian morality : Morality is not tested when it echoes the crowd, but when it restrains it, by CK Lal (kp), Dalit women members in local government continue to face de facto discrimination, exclusion (rn),  Governments keep ignoring Nepal human rights body’s recommendations : National Human Rights Commission says even the current civilian government has shown no progress on implementing them; NHRC says only 13.29 percent of human rights recommendations fully implemented since 2000, by Binod Ghimire (kp), As campaigns go digital, election integrity at stake : Election Commission, security agencies up monitoring to fight fake news, misinformation, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Cash continues to pile up in government funds, no proper accounting, by Uddab Thapa (nn), Full marks, failed system: The farce of “performance evaluation” in Nepal’s civil service, by Bhasha Sharma (nn), Snowfall cuts off highland villages, low voter turnout feared : Some candidates are in cities to meet voters who left due to chill while others have yet to reach high-altitude areas, by Krishna Prasad Gautam, Ananda Gautam, Deepak Pariyar and Hariram Uprety (kp), Damaged Rs 3b ministers' quarters need Rs 110m for repairs (rep), Essential Conditions For Fair Polls, by Pushpa P Dhamala (rn)

27/01/2026: Nepal’s Proportional Representation crisis: Paradox of inclusion, by Asmita Chapagain (kh), Social Justice Still Remains A Far Cry, by Ranjit Prakash Wad (rn), Missing details in EC candidate profiles raise concerns over transparency (kh), EC seeks written clarification from Balen, Harka, Mahesh and Nicholous over code of conduct violations (kh), The prime ministerial projection: A strategic masterstroke or an electoral fraud?, by Vidhu Prakash Kayastha (ht), Nepal heads to polls amid shifting voter priorities : Once driven by ideologies, daily concerns now dominate Nepal’s elections, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Rakshya Bam asks leaders: “Where is your manifesto? we want to read it” : Taking to social media on Tuesday, Bam stressed that voters will base their decisions on the leaders’ plans and policies (rep) [Unrealistic, utopian plans, as seen in all previous elections, are not the solution either and should have consequences!], Deepfakes and Democracy (rep), Families of two slain girls still awaiting justice a year on : They were brutally murdered by two boys after one girl refused sexual advances, by Menuka Dhungana (kp), India sends in-kind assistance, China offers cash for elections : The northern neighbour, irked by Nepal’s decisions, has decided to provide cash only (kp), Melting Himalaya, melting morality : The climate crisis is not a technical problem, but the result of a greed-based development model, by Chandrakishore (kp), Activist Yuvraj Safal arrested for criticizing Rabi Lamichhane case withdrawal (rep) [This sounds like Donald Trump. If anything, wouldn't a simple charge without arrest have been enough, especially since the Supreme Court is currently reviewing the decision?]

26/01/2026: Reminiscing last week: A start to Nepal’s election race (kh), Politics has become everyone’s game in Nepal : People from all walks of life are entering politics in a system where influence and patronage matter most, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), What makes some people not vote : Experts point to factors like geography and elected representatives disappointing voters , by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Let voters hear you : There are many compelling reasons to start a pre-election debate between main PM candidates (kp), Resurgent RSP and Balen magic : What lies ahead is a battle between the decadent past and the burgeoning future, by Paban Raj Pandey (kp), With 38 days to go, parties seek votes without manifestos : Analysts warn absence of manifestos risks weakening voter trust and democratic accountability, by Gyanu Ghimire (kp) [The Manifestos are generally not serious utopias anyway, and they just end up gathering dust in some corner after the elections!], Jhalanath Khanal warns of party split over authoritarian leadership style (kh), Concern grows over misuse of national flag in protests and election campaigns, by Sita Neupane (kh), Alliance of Nepali Congress and CPN-UML sweeps upper house polls : Of the 18 seats contested, Congress takes 9 and UML 8, by Binod Ghimire (kp), 15 leaders quit Ujyalo Nepal Party  (rep), Women, Youth Not In Parties' Priority, by Ballav Dahal (rn) [You should also have mentioned the Dalits and Muslims, and in comparison to the male Khas Arya, the Janajati and Madheshi too!]

25/01/2026: NC wins 9, UML 8 seats as alliance sweeps National Assembly election (rep) [Sounds like manipulation of an undemocratic electoral system in a non-inclusive Khas Arya state! Such an election serves the interests of the ruling oligarchy and not those of the people!], Congress becomes largest party in National Assembly following Deuba-Thapa decision (kh), Everything you need to know about Nepal’s March 5, 2026 House of Representatives Election (nn), HoR polls: Women candidates take on political heavyweights, by Asmita Parajuli (kh), HoR elections: 18 women candidates in the fray in Sudurpashchim Province (kh), Upper Dolpa faces challenge of bringing back voters for polls : Authorities begin collecting details of voters who have migrated to lower regions and cities for winter, ahead of March 5 voting (kp), All eyes on Jhapa-5: Who will win – Balen or Oli?, by Akhilesh Tripathi (nn), Oli announces readiness for public debate with PM candidates (kh), Balen Shah refuses to join public debate with Oli : Says he won’t share stage with ‘murderers of 76 children’ (kh), Social activist Iih satirises Balen for skipping election debate (rep), SC rejects Resham Chaudhary’s plea, bars him from running in election (rep), Lamichhane case returns to court as a petition hearing is scheduled (nn), Private sector urges parties to put jobs and economy at the heart of election manifestos : With elections approaching, business leaders warn that power politics still dominates party agendas, while urgent issues of livelihoods are ignored, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Over 100 countries review Nepal’s five-year human rights track record : Nations acknowledge progress in protecting and promoting human rights since 2021, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [??], Limi Valley residents grapple with climate crisis-induced livelihood disruption and outmigration : At a discussion in Kathmandu, campaigners share the pain and suffering from climate change and how political leaders have continued to ignore their plight (kp), Breathing Crisis: Nepal’s Winter of Neglect (rep), Balen, Gagan Trigger Electoral Tremors, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn)

24/01/2026: Candidate tally drops to 3,406 : 81 either withdrew or were disqualified by poll body (kp), HoR Polls: 72 candidates withdraw their nominations, 8 disqualified : Assistant Spokesperson of the EC, Kul Bahadur GC, said most independent candidates withdrew after realizing they could not manage election expenses or found the election process too demanding (rep), New Political Trends And Upcoming Polls, by Sugam Gautam (rep), From Panchayat to Republic: Nepal’s evergreen candidates keep running : Nepal’s upcoming HoR election features several veteran “evergreen” politicians who have contested elections across the Panchayat, multiparty and republican eras, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep), Algorithm-driven social media shaping Nepal’s elections, raising deeper democratic concerns (kh), The uphill journey of two prime ministerial hopefuls, by Gyanu Ghimire (kh), Udaya Shamsher Rana proposes public debate among prime ministerial candidates (kh), Prachanda, a stakeholder of bad governance, faces an unchallenged election : Although the Gen-Z movement pushed old leaders to the brink of displacement and challenge, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, aka Prachanda, finds ease on the electoral front, by Khila Nath Dhakal (nn), Building Common Ground Vital For Stability, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)

23/01/2026: Ladies not first-past-the-post : Women representation in elections in Nepal get worse by each consecutive polls, by Sudisha Tuladhar (nt), Play by the rules : The EC and the candidates are both at fault for the brazen violation of election code of conduct (kp), Male march, female margins, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Chitwan-3 emerges as key battleground as social media buzz fuels election debate, by Narayan Aryal (kh), Family ties feature in Nepal’s parliamentary elections race : Four married couples and two sibling pairs are contesting House of Representatives seats across parties and constituencies, by Durga Dulal (kp) [Some call this nepotism, which is particularly serious given that many social groups are completely underrepresented!], Former PM Baburam Bhattarai withdraws candidacy from Gorkha-2 (kh), RPP candidate Karvika Thapa withdraws candidacy from Rupandehi-2 over US PR issue (kh), RSP candidate Ashika Tamang withdraws from Dhading-1 race amid German PR controversy (kh), Ashika Tamang refutes claims, says she will contest elections (kh), Last-day withdrawals trigger strategic realignments across key constituencies (nn), Resham Chaudhary disqualified, 49 candidates withdraw nominations (nn), Resham Chaudhary barred from House race : Conviction in killings not annulled by presidential clemency, Election Commission says, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [He was pardoned by the president for purely political reasons, but he is still considered legally convicted!], Resham Chaudhary moves Supreme Court against candidacy scrap : Seeks interim order to reinstate nomination for Kailali-1 race (kp), Madhes as the decisive force in elections : Out of the 165 first-past-the-post seats, 32 are in Madhes, which also has 20 percent of the voters. Which party will win the race?, by Mani Dahal (nn), Air pollution clouds health, tourism, and economy in Nepal : From flight disruptions to growing health costs, unchecked air pollution hitting lives, livelihoods and tourism, by Sangam Prasain (kp), A futile mission : The talk of restoring the monarchy is nothing more than an illusion, by Atindra Dahal (kp) [The same applies to calls for a return to a Hindu state. Hindus may be in the majority in Nepal, but there are also numerous other religions and cultures. Only secularism, coupled with democracy, federalism and tolerance, is the right path for Nepal.], Parties ramp up social media spending ahead of elections : Data from past three months show parties and candidates spending lavishly, raising concerns over transparency and targeted campaigning, by Sajana Baral (kp), Internal Democracy Ensures Parties' Future, by Sagar Ghale (rn), Policing the Police : Police killings, abuse of power, and the lack of accountability threaten the stability of Nepal’s democracy, by Prashanta Khanal (nt)

22/01/2026: How safe are veteran leaders when KP Oli faces Balen?, by Gyanu Ghimire (kh), HoR elections: Dalit community sees meager candidacies under FPTP electoral system (nn), HoR elections: Negligible Dalit candidates contesting under FPTP (rep), Selection bias : Parties have failed their constitutional duty to include an adequate number of women in their FPTP lists (kp), Why are female candidates still rare in elections?, by Ruby Rauniyar (rep), Constituencies in the Spotlight: Fierce battles expected as major party leaders enter the fray, by Khila Nath Dhakal (nn), Three central leaders resign from Kulman Ghising-led Ujyalo Nepal Party (kh), Nepal’s Election: Something is cooking, by Bikash Dhungana (ok), Candidates are openly flouting election code : Nomination day saw candidates arrive with hundreds of supporters, musical ensembles, and even children, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Tharu voters frustrated as leadership splits overshadow community concerns : Disillusioned voters vow to support competent and educated candidates who address everyday issues like affordable seeds and fertiliser, by Bimal Khatiwada (kp), One in six children in Sudurpaschim suffers from wasting : Experts say acute malnutrition over 10 percent is an emergency like condition, which increases child mortality, by Arjun Poudel (kp), The need for bold reimagining : New political faces will not go far if they lack bold, long-term, attainable visions, by Bikash Gupta (kp), Change beyond the ballot : This is not a moment to wait anxiously for election results; the responsibility to change rests with us, by Meghna Adhikari (kp), The Perils of Populism in Nepal’s Power Race : Nepal’s rush toward celebrity-driven politics risks elevating charisma over competence at a time when the country needs serious, grounded leadership, by Ram Sharan Sedhai (rep), Nepal: Democracy, Disorder and the Battle for Renewal, by Deepak Kumar Nayak (rep), Betraying local mandate for federal power, by Tapendra Karki (rep)

21/01/2026: Enough of Arrogance: Nepal Demands Accountability and Democratic Renewal, by Ganga Thapa (kh), SGN-triggered political scenario: Renaissance of the NC and democracy in Nepal, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Election: A Crucial Test For Voters, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), 3,484 individuals, 68 parties contesting March 5 polls : Nepali Congress and CPN-UML each field candidates in all 165 constituencies. Only 15 percent of the total contestants are under 35, by Binod Ghimire (kp), 2,925 candidates file nominations nationwide for House election (kh) [Long live patriarchy!], HoR election: 3,486 candidates file their nominations (nn), Nepal sees only 12.11% women candidates in HoR poll nominations (rep), Parties deny women fair share of FPTP candidates : Congress, UML, Nepal Communist Party, and RSP have nominated far fewer than one third women candidates , by Aarya Chand (kp), Severe imbalance in proportional representation, Kathmandu dominates, by Mani Dahal (nn), Why dalits are once again pushed to the margins in elections (kh), A young dawn : The fielding of new electoral candidates is the first step to internalising the spirit of the Gen Z movement (kp) [Social inclusion is an important issue that did not play a significant role in the Gen Z movement. Therefore, it is also irrelevant now, given the parties' somewhat half-hearted consideration of Gen Z's demands.], Former prime ministers test political relevance amid shifting electoral ground (kh), Complaints filed against these five candidates at Election Commission (kh) [There are a whole host of other nominated candidates with criminal or suspected criminal backgrounds!], The urgent need for Gen Z councils before March 5 polls, by Simone Galimberti (nn), Ministers’ resignations to contest elections raise questions about their deviation from duty : If they intended to jump into the election fray, observers say, they shouldn’t have joined the government in the first place, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Federalism on the ballot : Election manifestos are treated as political documents, not governing contracts, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Is geopolitics really a threat to Nepal? If geopolitics becomes the sole explanation for political failures, it dissolves genuine reforms, by Pawan Adhikari (kp), Nepal’s richest 1% own 519 times more wealth than poorest half: Report. Economic inequality widens in Nepal as living conditions worsen for poor (rep)

20/01/2026: Key constituencies turn battlegrounds as parties finalize candidates for March 5 polls (kh), PM Sushila Karki to assume charge of three vacant ministries (kh) [Urgent matters of state cannot be dealt with if ministers are forced to resign in order to stand for election. This is completely unheard of in Western democracies and is detrimental to the state!], Supreme Court hearing underway on Deuba faction’s writ against Gagan Thapa, Election Commission (kh), Gagan-Biswa's historic revolt: A testament for contemporary politics, by Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht), Dream as one: It would be best for Congress and for democracy if Deuba and his coterie accepted the defeat, by Mitra Pariyar (kp), NC row: SC refuses interim order in case against Gagan Thapa (kh), Candidate selection sparks disputes in parties : UML and RSP leaderships accused of ignoring party units and rules (kp), Political uncertainty clouds Nepal’s economic outlook: WB (rep), Ticket crunch puts political futures at risk: from Congress ‘nepo babies’ to critics of Oli (kh), Rebellion from Congress and UML to RSP: Where have rebel candidacies emerged? (kh) [First impression: the total dominance of male Khas Arya in the allocation of FPTP candidacies has increased rather than decreased! And this continues to apply to all parties. In this way, multi-ethnic Nepal has no future!]

19/01/2026: Foreign Interference or Internal Political Failure?, by Binoj Basnyat (kh) [Total internal political failures, what else? Nepal must immediately get rid of authoritarian anti-democrats such as Oli, Dahal and Deuba. But fundamental changes are also necessary, for example with regard to the parties, the laws, the constitution, the electoral system and the political orientation. In addition, there is a pressing need for adequate social inclusion, the implementation of federalism and secularism, and the immediate abolition of patriarchal structures and practices.], UML ticket row exposes Oli’s uncompromising authoritarianism : Internal dissent ignored as UML chief pushes pre-decided candidate list, sidelining senior leaders and long-time party workers, by Gyanu Ghimire (kh) [Those who want democracy should not vote for authoritarian, anti-democratic despots who have already proven their incompetence often enough!], Tickets to nowhere : KP Oli has rigged UML’s ticket distribution for the March 5 polls—much to the party’s detriment (kp), Yogesh Bhattarai registers four-point dissent in UML, says arbitrary leadership decisions have wronged dedicated cadres (kh), A generation demands change - and the ballot must deliver, by CK Peela (ht) [In other words: do not vote for parties and politicians who reject reforms and generational change at all costs!], An uncommon test of political readiness : March elections offer a chance to address Nepal’s long-standing issues, but only if parties focus on action over rhetoric, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp), Reminiscing last week: Realignments, retreats, and uncertainty (kh), Elections after the Gen Z Revolt: Old Parties, New Fears, by Sugam Gautam (rep), Durga Prasai arrested over spreading misleading election information (kh), Systemic injustice: The toll of indiscriminate prosecution on civil servants : Flawed CIAA prosecutions erode the dignity of civil servants while inflicting significant financial and operational losses on the government, by Bhasha Sharma (nn)

18/01/2026: When rights watchdogs falter : NHRC is a reflection of problems of Nepali society, including misogyny and exclusion of minorities, by Mohna Ansari (kp), Generational waves within parties : Youth across different parties are trying to bring about positive change, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Bending the law before the ballot: How the law was twisted for Rabi Lamichhane Attorney General Sabita Bhandari’s deliberate attempt to bend the existing law to benefit Rabi Lamichhane has come under public scrutiny for mocking the notion of rule of law, by Akhilesh Tripathi (nn) [The ruling upper-caste elite minority continues to believe that it can do whatever it wants. The people are stupid, this country belongs only to us and that's how it must remain!], Three writ petitions filed at Supreme Court against attorney general’s decision to amend chargesheets : Petitioners seek interim order, saying move intended to withdraw cooperative fraud cases (kp), SC accepts writ against AG’s withdrawal of cases against Rabi Lamichhane (rep), Deuba faction files writ at SC against EC decision (nn), For ex-premier Deuba, Dadeldhura’s electoral landscape is changing : Voters in the Congress stronghold considering if it is time to send someone other than five-time PM to parliament, by Bimal Khatiwada and Barun Paneru (kp), UML declares Oli as its PM candidate : The party chair to contest election from Jhapa-5, his old constituency from where Balendra Shah is also reportedly contesting, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [May the voters save the country from such a catastrophe!], Nepal: A Nation Where Education Has Failed Society. Nepal’s education system wastes resources, deepens inequality, and channels schooling toward exit rather than prosperity, by Ram C Acharya (rep)

17/01/2026: Election Commission recognises Thapa-led Nepali Congress : Commission will allow Deuba faction to register new party if it does not wish to come under newly elected leadership, by Binod Ghimire and Anil Giri (kp), Oli and Dahal initiate discussions following Thapa’s official recognition by Election Commission (kh) [After Deuba was dismissed, the two remaining power players are becoming nervous!], Deuba-led NC to challenge Gagan Thapa recognition at Supreme Court (kh), Nepali Congress splinters into three camps after Election Commission recognizes Gagan Thapa-led party (nn), NC CWC unveils six-point roadmap after EC recognition (rep) [Unfortunately, the urgently needed adequate social inclusion is still missing from the agenda! Nepal must finally stop being a state dominated by male Khas Arya.], New Sociability Shapes Nepal Into Open Society, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Bid to withdraw cases against Lamichhane may hit all money laundering, organized crime cases pending in courts, by Tapendra Karki (rep)

16/01/2026: Congress split lands in Election Commission : Gagan Thapa and Sher Bahadur Deuba factions submit rival claims as candidate nomination day for March 5 parliamentary election approaches, by Anil Giri (kp), Grand split in Nepal’s grand old party  : But the Nepali Congress factions may still decide that breaking up is hard to do so close to polls, by Shristi Karki (nt), Deuba faction claims 885 NC convention delegates withdrew signatures backing Special General Convention (kh) [This sounds like KP Oli's lies in 2021, when Deuba had enough MPs behind him to replace Oli as Prime Minister!], NC leader Min Bishwakarma claims no special convention held (kh) [No meeting of former Central Working Committee held! Nepal's politicians only know how to run smear campaigns. They are not interested in democracy or the good of the country. The youth and their mass revolt are completely ignored. Presumably it never even happened, right?], Election Commission recognizes Gagan Thapa-led Nepali Congress as official party (kh), Election Commission recognises Gagan Thapa-led Nepali Congress : Decision follows counter claims by Thapa and Deuba factions over party legitimacy (kp), Revamping Nepali Congress : Nepal needs a strong Congress party, a historically moderate, left-of-centre democratic force (kp), Reinventing political praxis : Only when Gagan Thapa helps reinvent the praxis of politics within NC and beyond will his gamble pay off, by Dinesh Kafle (kp), PM Karki calls for young, honest leadership to replace old political mindset (kh), Clash of titans looms in Jhapa-5 as Balen targets Oli’s bastion : Voters say they are eager for a new face and even a small shift in support could throw surprise results, by Gaurav Pokharel (kp), Gen-Z injured protesters, families of martyrs stage sit-in at PM’s Office (kh), Writ petition filed in Supreme Court against AG’s approval to amend Rabi Lamichhane’s charge sheet (kh), All accused in Rabi Lamichhane-related cases acquitted of money laundering and organized crime charges (kh), Valley sees jump in respiratory problems as pollution worsens : Experts say masks are not enough and call for concerted action against air pollution (kp), FDI commitments see over 52 percent rise despite political uncertainty : Industrialists call for a conducive investment climate to better utilise Nepal’s growing cash reserves (kp), Gen Z’s Warning: Nepal’s Economic Policy Cannot Withstand Algorithmic Disruption, by Bimal Pratap Shah (rep)

15/01/2026: Nepali Congress splits ahead of elections : Third division in the party since 1950. March 5 elections could be affected. Both factions claim legitimacy from Election Commission, by Anil Giri (kp), Battle for legitimacy begins : Experts split on whether legitimacy rests with general convention or central committee, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepali Congress split triggers legal battle over party legitimacy, by Narayan Aryal (kh), Gagan Thapa’s long political journey to party leadership : Winning support of majority of Congress delegates was a feat. The road ahead could be even more bumpy, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Gagan Thapa to draft NC manifesto for March 5 election (kh 15/01/2026) [Even the ‘new’ Nepali Congress is completely in the hands of male Khas Arya. Other social groups play only a minor role!], Gen Z activist Tanuja Pandey hails NC Special General convention, says frozen pond turns into river (rep), Attorney general directs withdrawal of organised crime and money laundering charges against RSP chair Lamichhane : OAG clarified that the cooperative fraud case against him will continue unchanged (kp), UML General Secretary Pokhrel says withdrawal of Rabi Lamichhane case weakens rule of law (kh), Gen-Z Movement slams bid to shield Rabi Lamichhane, demands rule of law (kh), Smog alert! Nearly 1,200 brick kilns nationwide start firing today : Low-grade coal used by most kilns blamed for worsening air quality, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Do Not Let Promise of Good Governance Fade Away : Four months after the Gen Z movement, public hope is fading as the new government struggles to turn protest energy into meaningful reforms and good governance (rep)

14/01/2026: The spectre of political corporatism : As long as the state remains a Khas-Arya monopoly, changing leaders is just rearranging the boardroom, by CK Lal (kp), Official implementation of mother languages still challenging (kh), SGC of the NC: Deuba should attend to avoid party's split, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Nepali Congress in last-ditch talks to prevent party split : Party chief Deuba’s resignation or formation of an interim high-command at the crux of ongoing negotiations, by Anil Giri (kp), NC splits as Deuba faction suspends Thapa, Sharma, Mansoor (kh), The shattered house of Nepali Congress : A political history of ambition, betrayal, money and missed opportunities inside Nepal’s oldest democratic party, by Sanket Koirala (kh), ‘A broad citizen campaign is essential to control air pollution’, interview with Anup Subedi (nn), Attorney General prepare to withdraw money-laundering and organized crime cases against Rabi Lamichhane (nn), AG approves withdrawal of organized crime, money laundering charges against Rabi Lamichhane (kh), Dividend or disaster? : There is an urgent need to bridge the gap between the potential and reality of Nepal’s young workforce (kp), Nepal’s Demographic Advantage at Risk (rep), Anomalies Plague Nepali Politics, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn), Sedhain taken into custody for sending SMSs to 5 million to push royalist protest (kh)

13/01/2026: NC Gen-Z calls for radical change in party leadership and national politics (kh), Congress leaders in hectic parleys to avert party split : Thapa, Sharma demand recognition of convention, election ticket overhaul, and Deuba’s withdrawal from party control, by Anil Giri and Purushottam Poudel (kp), Reviving Democracy from Within (rep), Congress general secretaries call for sweeping reforms : Thapa and Sharma present bold proposals on governance, anti-corruption, electoral reform, inclusivity and national development (kp), High-level commission to be formed to probe assets of public officials including former justices and army generals (rep), Three is not a crowd : Ghising’s abrupt depature from the RSP is not a healthy development for Nepali politics (kp), Old questions in new times : Both exaggerated hope in new parties and blind faith in old ones are harmful to the public conscience, by Chandrakishore (kp), A bitter irony: Nepal’s ‘food basket’ Madhesh battling widespread malnutrition : 29 percent of children in Madhesh Province, which is considered fertile for agriculture and is referred to as Nepal’s ‘granary’ or ‘food basket’, are victims of malnutrition, by Birendra Raman (nn), After funding dispute, TU Teaching Hospital halts services under government health insurance : Hospital says decision takes effect from January 15, but patients reported being denied services from Monday (kp), 12.7% youth unemployed, over Rs 1,500 billion ‘life-cycle deficit’ in Nepal : According to the report, youth unemployment stands at 12.7 percent, while only 38.5 percent of the labor force is actively participating, by Ruby Rauniyar (rep), Democracy Faces Trust Deficit, by Rajendra Prasad Baral (rn)

12/01/2026: Nepal's Universal Periodic Review: Reforms needed to safeguard media freedom, by Laxman Datt Pant (ht), Reminiscing last week: Trust, turbulence, and politics (kh), Deuba weighs ‘safe landing’ as 56.13% delegates back Congress special convention : Strong turnout at the Gagan–Bishwa Prakash–led special convention forces Deuba camp into crisis talks over a negotiated way forward to prevent party split, by Gyanu Ghimire (kh), Convention turnout hints at leadership change in Congress : If organisers’ claim of over 56 percent general convention delegates is true, Deuba will be pushed into a minority, by Purushhottam Poudel (kp), Billions wasted, halls empty: Lumbini’s infrastructure dreams turn into ghost structures : Large physical infrastructures built in Lumbini Province with the investment of billions of rupees remain unused or abandoned, by CP Khanal (nn), Free and fair election key to restoring Nepal’s international reputation : Use of force on Gen Z protesters fell outside standards of legitimacy, necessity and proportionality, interview with Surya Subedi (kp), A movement bigger than parties : Linking the success of the Gen Z movement to the success of particular parties is a category error, by Biswas Baral (kp)

11/01/2026: GESI-responsive budgeting: Boon for educational transformation, by Gita Subedi (kh), Prithvi Jayanti and National Unity Day being observed today (kh) [In a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural state, national unity must also encompass social inclusion and equality. But this was not what Prthvi Narayan wanted, and the effects of this can still be felt today!], Between iconoclasm and sycophancy : To deny Prithivi Narayan Shah’s vision or methods is to misunderstand him, and by extension, ourselves, by Sanitya Kalika (kp), From unification to uncertainty: Nepal’s ongoing struggle for nation-building, by Manisha Bhattarai Bhatt (ok), Congress special general convention kicks off today : Party chief Sher Bahadur Deuba declines to attend. It is unclear if the convention will pick a new party president, by Anil Giri (kp), Why a split in the Nepali Congress looks imminent, by Akhilesh Tripathi (nn), Respect the Rules or Risk Disintegration (rep), As Gagan–Bishwa camp nears majority, Deuba calls close aides for discussion (kh), Kulman Ghising splits from Rastriya Swatantra Party just 12 days after unity : Split seen as blow to Kathmandu mayor Shah’s effort to bring alternative forces together, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Disability in politics : Parties must recognise that disability representation is a constitutional guarantee, by Sadikshya Dulal (kp), 2025 Year-End Letter to Nepal, by Ram C Acharya (rep), JSP-Nepal and LSP-Nepal to merge; Upendra Yadav to lead, Mahantha Thakur as patron (kh) [Everywhere, old, failed faces!]

10/01/2026: Ashika Tamang asks: ‘Men are in power everywhere. Why do you resist when a woman steps forward?’ (rep), Ghanashyam Bhusal lashes out at Nepali Congress, calls party’s politics ‘syndicate-driven’ (kh), Kulman Ghising to take charge as Ujyalo Nepal chair after potential split with RSP (kh), RSP calls emergency Secretariat meeting as unity deal with Ujyalo Nepal hits crisis (kh), RSP and Ujyaalo Nepal merger collapses amid leadership disputes (rep), Split in Ujyaalo Nepal Party after Kulman becomes Chair; Dr Joshi and 20 central members remain with RSP (kh) [Promising new forces are destroying themselves. This strengthens the old politicians and parties in their efforts to continue their misguided policies even after the elections. The youth revolt and its justified cause seem to have been forgotten after only four months!], Oli says UML convention sent ‘historic’ message, reviews political roadmap at Central Committee meeting (kh) [The historic message is that the party does not want to change at all, as if the youth revolt had never happened: no admission of its own mistakes, no generational change, authoritarian anti-democratic dictatorship of the party chairman, absolute dominance of male Khas Arya, merciless punishment of critics, unchanged radical rejection of social inclusion.], Deuba faction panics as special convention looks inevitable : As convention backers seek to include all in the Jan 11-12 event, Congress establishment side suspects ‘foreign ploy’ (kp) [Conspiracy? Foreign ploy? Or would it be better to describe it as a lack of democracy, the arrogance of certain politicians, or the destruction of the party's future?], Grassroots recommendations do not guarantee a poll ticket : In Nepal’s political parties, district units recommend candidates, but party leadership often override the rules to pick their favourites at the last minute, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [This is what the male highcaste oligarchs at the top of the parties at national level call democracy!], Nepal’s foreign exchange reserves hit Rs3.2 trillion as investment stalls : The country’s swelling foreign currency reserves now surpass half of its GDP, by Sangam Prasain and Krishana Prasain (kp), Out-of-constituency, diaspora voting not possible in March : Election Commission cites time constraints and lack of preparations (kp) [It's always the same. Since the interim government loudly proclaimed this, absolutely nothing has been done to fulfil this fundamental human right. Previous governments under Oli, Dahal and Deuba behaved in a similar manner!], Printing machine worth Rs 250 million procured remains idle at EC for eight years, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep), Resolving Crisis Of Political Culture, Values, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Youth Empowerment For National Prosperity, by Anup Uprety (rn), Former King Gyanendra warns Nepal may not survive as a nation (kh) [Prithvi Narayan once laid the foundation for Nepal's independence, but he was also responsible for social inequality in this multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural state. Therefore, Prithvi Path is not a desirable path to follow. Political parties and the monarchy have caused great damage on this path in recent years and decades!]

09/01/2026: Uncertainty looms over hundreds of scrapped contracts after Minister Kulman Ghising’s resignation, by Asmita Parajuli (kh), By 2050, Nepal must create 6.5m jobs to reap demographic dividend : World Bank: Country’s prospects hinge on creating good jobs and harnessing skills of women, returning migrants, by Sangam Prasain (kp), Glimmer of hope for 2007 Gaur massacre survivors : Last month, Supreme Court issued the full text of its 2023 verdict in a case filed by victims and relatives of the massacre and directed police to start investigation, by Shiva Puri (kp), On nation building : ​There is a massive gap between form and substance in both Nepal’s economy and politics, by Prakash Chandra Lohani (kp), Nepal’s ‘hung transition’ : The Gen Z-led protests’ message is clear: The existing social contract is broken, by Santosh Bisht (kp), HoR election: Fears mount over escaped inmates disrupting polls, by Tapendra Karki (rep), Education ministry under scrutiny as millions spent just on discussions about its new legislations, by Ruby Rauniyar (rep), Madhes watch, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), RSP’s PR list is not good PR : Political legitimacy tethered to popularity and digital visibility risks sidelining competent individuals who lack comparable social capital, by Ayusha Chalise (rep)

08/01/2026: Citizenship through mother’s name comes into force after regulation amendment (kh) [Extremely patriarchal thinking persists: it should not matter whether the mother or father has Nepalese citizenship. In both cases, children must have a fundamental right to full Nepalese citizenship, with all the rights and obligations that entails!], New election, old platitudes
People do not remember what was said some years earlier, let alone what manifestoes contained, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Thapa and Sharma formally call Congress special convention : Wednesday announcement sets stage for a factional clash ahead of polls. Deuba asks leaders to shun Jan 11-12 event, by Anil Giri (kp) [It would not be the first time that Deuba, in his boundless lust for power, divided the party!], Nepali Congress heads toward split as establishment faction calls central members’ meet (kh), Differences over leadership stall Ujyalo Nepal–RSP unity process, by Gyanu Ghimire (kh), Deal with Ghising to be formalized through party process: RSP Chair Lamichhan (nn), New parties confront old problems : After resigning as minister on Wednesday, Ghising indicates being active in the RSP, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Ghising resigns, Gupta signals readiness for elections; Kharel and Aryal stay undecided, by Gyanu Ghimire (kh), Congress, UML set to win all seats up for grabs in National Assembly : Parties file candidacies for 18 seats in the upper house as two major forces turn election to a mere formality, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Nepal's political system is far from democratic! Two parties with authoritarian, anti-democratic and power-hungry leaders dominate the parliamentary chambers with ethnically and gender-exclusive representatives, even though together they only received the support of half the population in the last elections!], Luxury hotels hit by Gen Z protests face more pressure from spring elections : With most 5-star properties already reporting losses, March polls could also deter visitors, by Sangam Prasain (kp), Home Minister holds talks with Hindu leaders, calls for religious harmony and zero tolerance for unrest (rep), People Prefer Delivery To Rhetoric, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Save Federalism From Rent-seeking Practice, by Suraj Parajuli (rn)

07/01/2026: Ministry working to endorse TRC rules despite reservations from some conflict victims : Officials at the transitional justice commissions say they have completed most of their preparations to start detailed investigations, by Binod Ghimire (kp), What South Asia’s Political Fault Lines Mean for Nepal in 2026, by Binoj Basnyat (kh), Rastriya Swatantra Party faces criticism over lack of inclusivity in leadership team (kh) [In terms of the dominance of male Khas Arya, the RSP is no different from other Nepalese parties. Furthermore, the party does not have a clear position on federalism, secularism, monarchy and the Hindu state! On a positive note, there is greater participation from the younger generation.], Gagan Thapa registers dissent over NC decision on UML alliance, National Assembly candidates (kh), NC's violation of its own constitution: Devaluation of its democratic identity, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Birgunj gradually returns to normal after curfew lifted (kh), Small private clinics driving female foeticide in Nepal : Around 300 radiologists and 200 gynaecologists in urban clinics enable sex-selective abortions, experts say, by Arjun Poudel (kp), PM asks party-affiliated ministers to quit : The prime minister cites public perception and the non-partisan nature of her government, by Anil Giri (kp), Kulman Ghising considering resignation under pressure from all sides, close aides urge caution (rep), Minister Ghising resigns (rn), Province in action : Nepal’s federalism succeeds not through slogans but through practice, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Regulations, revolution and chaos : The media must review their performance of 2025 to ensure they continue to function as the fourth estate, by Bhanu Bhakta Acharya (kp), Rethinking Nepal’s Foreign Policy: Why the Yam Between the Boulders Must Move, by Kanchan Jha (rep)

06/01/2026: Justice Deferred, Victims Forgotten, by Charan Prasai (rep) [And not to forget: responsible politicians, Maoists and army leadership satisfied!], Vanishing girls : Unchecked sex-selective abortions are taking the country down a dangerous road (kp), The old and the new : The notion that our established parties have become too old and weak is ridiculous, by Mitra Pariyar (kp), Nepalis abroad will not be able to vote this time: Minister Kharel (rep) [Oli and the other so-called top politicians are responsible for this because of their years of inaction in this regard, despite clear instructions from the Supreme Court!], Contradictory Laws: Eligible to contest elections, but not to become an MP. Political parties are reluctant to make laws barring accused persons from contesting elections, by Bhasha Sharma (nn) [This is due to the close ties and cooperation between politics and crime! No truly democratic party would nominate convicted criminals as candidates. Voters must decide whether they want to be governed by potential criminals!], Jailed in refugee scam, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi recommended as candidate (rep) [The UML candidates are increasingly becoming a bunch of criminal elements. This also proves the party's hypocrisy when it comes to eradicating corruption!], Oli sidelines rivals, strips Ishwar Pokhrel of key role, elevates Bishnu Rimal (kh) [What kind of despicable character is this? Personal revenge on critics, lies and deliberate misstatements, manipulation of elections, obstruction of political stability and urgently needed legislation.], Major parties allying for upper house elections : Deuba, Oli, Dahal and Madhesh-based parties are giving final shape to a seat-sharing formula, by Anil Giri (kh) [The oligarchs continue to turn the screws to destroy democracy!], Four parties agree to share 18 NA seats (rep), Offensive religious comments on TikTok sparks tension across Madhesh (rep), All-party meeting urges social harmony in Birgunj amid religious tensions (kh), Curfew in Birgunj extended until 6 PM Tuesday amid rising communal tensions (kh), UML to align with Nepali Congress for National Assembly election on Jan 25 (kh) [The old, failed politicians who bear primary responsibility for the political, economic and social decline of the country are once again resorting to electoral manipulation in order to continue their mismanagement unchanged! Was there really a youth revolt in September?], Files of over 10,000 cases burnt at SC recovered (nn), Supreme Court prepares 10,000+ case files lost in fire during Gen-Z protests (kh), Mayor Balen Shah submits written response to Gen-Z movement probe panel (kh), Week after four Madheshi parties announced unity, they are yet to name the new party, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Gen Z activist Bhawana Raut asks: Have new political parties forgotten political values? (rep), Gen Z Front Coordinator Rakshya Bam cautions NC against insulting Gen Z movement (rep), We seek solutions within framework of federal democratic republic, interview with Rakshya Bam (rn), Govt, foreign forces conspiring to postpone elections after UML–NC rapprochement: Oli (rep) [Time and again, we hear the same flimsy and completely unfounded allegations of conspiracies and foreign influence when these failed and utterly incompetent politicians realise that the country's citizens are no longer willing to put up with their disastrous spectacle! Their renewed plans for manipulative collusion in the electoral process should be seen as a conspiracy!]

05/01/2026: Reminiscing last week: Realignment, Regulation, and Reckoning (kh), Falling female births widening gender gap
Gaps high in Sudurpaschim, Madhesh as preference for sons drives sex-selective abortions (kp) [The targeted abortion of female foetuses is a crime based on patriarchal thinking and should be punished most severely!], Proportional representation: Dominated by elites and celebrities, by Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht), Nepal at a Crossroads: When Weak Systems Undermine Good People, by Atul Koirala and Avanish Pathak (rep), RSP is a residual power of older parties, not a true alternative : Leaders are still using rhetoric to shape their narrative rather than engaging in substantive policy work, interview with Sucheta Pyakuryal (kp), Oli denies ordering police to fire on Gen Z protesters : Former prime minister was questioned over suppression of youth protests in which a total of 77 were killed, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Of course, but as prime minister he bore political responsibility. No upright democrat would seek public office again after these excesses by the security forces!], Prohibitory order imposed in four major areas of Birgunj (kh), Travel restriction on Oli lifted (kh), Nepali leaders rush to Delhi ahead of elections (kh) [??], Who dares wins : The initiative of two NC general secretaries to save the party from itself deserves support (kp) (kp), NC steps up talks with UML, potential partners ahead of National Assembly elections (kh) [In search of undemocratic electoral alliances whose sole aim is to bring failed old politicians back into parliament. After the elections, these alliances are no longer of any significance!], Nepali Congress claims 8 seats in upcoming National Assembly polls (kh), Instead of exiting FATF’s ‘grey list’, Nepal faces risk of falling into ‘dark grey list’, by Uddab Thapa (nn), ‘Abuse of Authority’ by finance ministry in spending Pollution Control Fees, by Bidhya Rai (nn), Public Service in Reverse Gear : Nepal’s driving licence backlog shows how poor planning, weak accountability and corruption have turned a basic public service into years of waiting despite full payment (rep)

04/01/2026: CPN (UML) leader and ex-minister Rajkumar Gupta is behind bars. Here is why, by Akilesh Tripathi (nn), Security tightened in 8 districts after Birgunj unrest (kh), Parsa administration calls for maintaining social harmony (kh), Factional feud over proportional candidates hits RSP-UNP unity : Ujyalo Nepal side members absent from RSP’s Pokhara meet saying they didn’t have clear instructions from the centre, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Counter-Revolution, Political Apartheid and Civic Erasure, by Bimal Pratap Shah (rep), PM Karki’s ‘fictional’ empathy : Karki’s appeal to be included in short fiction reveals her existential angst, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Court limitation freeze for two more months due to disruption by September protests : Top court says decision to address inconvenience, confusion and hardship for litigants due to ‘extraordinary situation’ created by arson and vandalism (kp), Justice Under Siege (rep), House Of Representatives Polls Urgent : The election must be held on the stipulated time to bring the derailed constitution to a right track, by Govinda Bahadur Tumbahang (rn), Public debt hits Rs 2.8 trillion mark (rep), Oli and Dahal hold talks to discuss electoral alliance (rep) [They obviously fear the real possibility that the electorate will finally decide not to re-elect them. Electoral alliances are not intended for the period after the elections anyway, but only to secure the continued presence of so-called top politicians in parliament!]

03/01/2026: Beyond the Ruins: Can Nepal’s Gen-Z Revive Democracy?, by Ganga Thapa (kh), Election Commission allows replacement of PR candidates who withdraw within deadline (kh), Women activists protest political parties’ PR lists : Over 200 women and civil society activists marched in Kathmandu demanding fair representation and accountability from political parties (kp), Supreme Court orders Election Commission to ensure disability representation in PR lists : People with disabilities will suffer irreparable harm if they are excluded, the apex court says in an interim order (kp), Amidst objection within, NC revises date for 15th General Convention, reschedules for May 11-14 (nn) [Holding a party conference before the elections and fundamentally overhauling the party and its political orientation would have been far too democratic. This way, the old, failed party leadership can continue as before! The question is whether this will continue to find favour with voters.], Nepali Congress schedules general convention for May 11-14 : General Secretaries Thapa and Sharma are adamant that the ‘mandatory’ special convention be held before the March 5 elections, by Anil Giri (kp), Government signs six-point deal with Dr Bhusal, Bista :Agreement sees end to 11-day hunger strike (kp), Defining Leadership As Cultural Guardianship, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Gen-Z leader Miraj Dhungana questions Rabi-Balen-Kulman (kh)

02/01/2026: Gen-Z split deepens: Front, Council eye RSP alliance, Movement chooses protest path, by Gyanu Ghimire (kh), The three musketeers : The new alliance between Lamichhane, Shah and Ghising opens a promising new political front, by Bishal Thapa (kp), New voices, old promises : The workings of political parties and the political structure remain under the thumb of special interests, by Durga Gautam (kp), Rebuilding Nepal’s Political Parties for Democracy, by Milan Jung Katuwal (rep), Old vs new : The UML-NC-NCP legacy parties face a formidable challenge from the alternative BRK alliance in March, by Shristi Karki (nt), Nepal’s Future Demands Ideas Over Power, by Ghanshyam Bhatt (rep), Leadership dispute puts Congress in crisis : Amid tensions with party chief Deuba, general secretaries Thapa and Sharma unilaterally call special convention, by Anil Giri (kp), UML’s PR picks spark outcry as old faces dominate new list, by Tapendra Karki (rep), Under mounting criticism, parties pledge to correct lists of their proportional candidates : Parties are found to have undermined constitutional spirit of representing marginalised communities so as to award their relatives and favourites, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Nepal’s ‘nepo list’, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Neo-populist card in Nepali politics, by Shusil Thapa (ae), SC issues order to ensure representation of people with disabilities (nn), UML recommends ‘Chakre Milan’ as candidate from Gorkha-2 (kh) [Once again, the CPN (UML) is resorting to nominating well-known criminals as candidates. This says a lot about Oli and his party's understanding of democracy!], Valley chokes as PM2.5 soars. Expert urge urgent action : Most monitoring stations showed red alerts Thursday. Light rain expected Friday may not clean the air, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Government failing to secure people’s basic right to breathe clean air : Extorting environmental fees from consumers only to fuel administrative apathy, by Bidya Rai (nn), Karki-led probe panel questions Deuba and Dahal over Gen Z protest violence (rep), Not ever again : 2026 marks 30 years after the start of the Maoist conflict, and 20 years since the ceasefire in 2006, by Kunda Dixit (nt), Nepal’s incomplete revolutions : Political and democratic movements of the past decades have all fallen short of citizen’s expectations, by Sudiksha Tuladhar (nt)

01/01/2026: A vote for generational change or just another election? The March 5 snap election, triggered by a deadly Gen Z-led protest, is reshaping political competition. Yet questions remain about the parties’ visions, ideologies and promises of delivery, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Gen-Z activists protest RSP proportional list, warn against voting if not revised (kh), Here is how RSP can change its proportional representation closed list (kh), PR disaster : A few good picks can’t justify widespread capture of Proportional Representation seats by powerful elites (kp) [The electoral system as such is entirely geared towards maintaining the dominance of traditional elites, i.e. the minority of male high-caste elites!], Proportional Representation or Political Privilege? (rep), RSP grows into a political behemoth : Rastriya Swatantra Party, now boosted by influential figures, looks to cash in on Gen Z protest’s momentum and diaspora backing, though analysts warn its appeal may be limited outside urban areas, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), New polarisation ahead of elections : A changed post-Gen Z political landscape, unification of alternative forces and parallel preparations for polls and possible House revival make upcoming election highly unpredictable, by Anil Giri (kp), Elections, economy, and the weight of youth expectations : As Nepal heads to polls, economists see short-term economic stimulus amid deep concerns over instability, informal money, and whether the Gen Z uprising will bring lasting change, by Sangam Prasain (kp), First-time voters claim their stake : Young voters heading to the polls for the first time say political instability and deep dissatisfaction with established parties have pushed them to participate, by Aarya Chand (kp), Celebrities, Gen Z and the ballot : Public figures are calling on young Nepalis to vote, seeing the election as a chance to end decades of political instability—while remaining wary of repeating past mistakes, by Anish Ghimire (kp), Failed CIAA : Weak investigations shrink CIAA’s success rate to mere 50 percent, by Bhasha Sharma (nn), Probe commission to summon former PM Oli for statement (rep), Security in focus as government asked to create conditions for March 5 polls : Home minister says absconding prisoners, looted arms won’t be allowed to disrupt vote (kp), APF says man killed during retaliatory firing while checking vehicles near India border (kh), Laukahi area in Sunsari tense after city safari driver dies in APF firing, by Amar Khadka (rep), Incidents of press freedom violation on rise in 2025: FNJ (rep), 30 percent of prisoners out of contact after escaping from Nakhkhu Prison (rn), Collective efforts imperative to promote national identity: Minister Kharel (kh) [What is national dress and national identity in a multi-ethnic and multicultural state such as Nepal? This sounds like Mahendra Shah's idea of a forcibly imposed cultural unitary state!], Preserve cultural identity: PM Karki (kh)

Chronology of the failed creation of a socially inclusive multi-ethnic and multicultural Nepal: