Our focus is locked. 35 challengers incoming

November 11, Kathmandu: Following the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9 (Bhadra 23 and 24), the process of restructuring old parties and forming new ones is underway. In this context, the Gen Z members who participated in the movement are also actively trying to form political parties.

Discussions are ongoing within the Gen Z groups about the options: how to form a political party if they choose to, or how to move forward if they don’t. Various groups are holding discussions with every individual and group advocating for the emergence of an alternative political force.

In this situation, what are the strategies of the different Gen Z groups? How are they moving forward? What is their level of activity as the deadline for registering a party and obtaining a certificate approaches?

Will the protestors who brought the parliamentary elections forward by dissolving the parliament themselves participate in that very election as candidates?

How are they working towards this? We have posed these questions to the leaders of various Gen Z groups.

Three Options Under Discussion within Gen Z Front

The Gen Z Front has prioritized organizational expansion, coalition building, and long-term preparationfor the upcoming election, instead of immediately forming a party or seeking an election symbol. According to a Front member, three main options are being discussed within the group:

1. First: Remaining on the streets as a civil society group.
2. Second: Expanding the organization and becoming stronger for the next election.
3. Third: Aligning with other parties or groups to institutionalize the movement.

Specifically, discussions are ongoing about the option of how to participate in the upcoming election. A member mentioned that dialogue is taking place regarding forming a party, but discussions also include who should lead it and how. “A few days ago, there were even discussions about whether to accept Raksha Bam or Ranju Darshana as the leader. But the course has moved forward from that point as well,” the member said.

Proposals have come to the Gen Z Front from various political groups. The Front is in discussion with all forces that are working for an alternative power, including individuals close to Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen), those close to Kul Man Ghising, the Sudhan Gurung group, Ranju Darshana, and Sumana Shrestha.

Bibeksheel Sajha even proposed that if everyone agrees, they are ready to change the party’s name and symbol. However, a Front member stated that a concrete conclusion regarding such proposals has not yet been reached.

“Proposals are coming in, asking for names for the central committee or urging us to move forward together. But let’s see how many more parties register or what happens until November 16 (Kartik 30). Even if nothing immediate comes up, we can still consider aligning with those who have registered afterwards,” he said. “Therefore, there is no definite declaration right now about the path we will take. It is true that work is being done on every option.”

What happens if they do not join any party? The possibility of fielding independent candidates is also being discussed within the Gen Z Front itself. If Front members choose to contest the election individually or as part of a group, the Front will offer its full support. “Even if we don’t join any party or group, many of our friends will run in the election as independent candidates. The Front will assist them,” the leader stated.

Gen Z Movement Alliance Fielding Its Own Candidates

The Gen Z Movement Alliance, which emerged from the movement, has adopted a strategy of supporting independent candidates in the upcoming Federal election on March 4,2026 (Falgun 21) without forming a party immediately. Representatives of the Alliance have stated they will not proceed by forming a party for now.

While they aim to enter party politics in the future, the immediate plan of this group is to enter the election through an independent coalition. The group plans to field individuals from within the Alliance as independent candidates and campaign for them, while also working on organizational expansion at the district level.

“We are currently reaching out to districts, working to get organized. We still need to understand the geography and circumstances outside of Kathmandu. We are learning a lot,” said Alliance leader Amit Khanal ‘Urja.’ “But this time, interested friends from the Alliance will contest the election. We will focus on that. We are making a list of candidates. There might be around 35 people.”

This group, which is contesting independently now, is preparing to form a party and participate in the upcoming Provincial and Local elections. With the objective of forming a party in the future, this group will also develop its organizational structure accordingly. The Alliance plans to publish the group’s document shortly and hold a convention in December (Mangsir).

Khanal says, “The main goal is the local and provincial level; we will turn this into a party for those elections. For that, we are calling a national convention in December. This convention may eventually take the form of a party. We will also soon publicize our documents and principles.”

While the Alliance keeps the door open for cooperation with other Gen Z groups, it has some conditions. The Alliance has indicated that discussions will be held only with groups willing to move forward by adhering to the fundamental tenets of the constitution.

According to another member of the Gen Z Movement Alliance, various groups are also making proposals to this group.

Proposals are coming in asking them to join their parties or assist in forming new parties. The member informed that they have held dialogues with the Sudhan Gurung group and Raksha Bam’s Gen Z Front, among others. “People like James Karki from Sudhan Gurung’s side had a discussion with some of our representatives. Other groups have also contacted us. But we are not immediately interested in joining any group as a party,” the member said.

Ranju Darshana and others from Bibeksheel Sajha Party had also made informal proposals to this group. Furthermore, Sagar Dhakal, Sumana Shrestha, and others who are working to establish an alternative power had also held discussions. It is not that proposals for a new way forward have not come from the old parties either. According to the member, Janardan Sharma and Sudhan Kirati from the erstwhile CPN (Maoist Centre) had also proposed moving forward in a new way.

“They had proposed, while still in the Maoist party, that it might be possible to collaborate with Gen Z in some new way. But since we didn’t show much interest, the matter was dropped,” an Alliance leader stated.

Sudhan Group’s Similar Efforts

Sudhan Gurung also made various attempts. After discussing multiple options, he has finally decided to join Ujyaalo Nepal, the party associated with Kul Man Ghising.

Even if he does not join immediately, some individuals close to him and from his group will be a part of that party. The names of some provincial coordinators from his group have also been recommended for the party’s central committee.

Before this, he had also tried various options. He led political discussions with other groups, advancing individuals like Ojashwi Thapa and James Karki. His group had also widened discussions with groups like the Gen Z Movement Alliance and the Gen Z Front.

He had also held discussions with former Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Sumana Shrestha and Kathmandu Metropolitan Mayor Balen. Even before aligning with Kul Man Ghising, this group had held discussions with other groups.

The group also tried to establish a party together with Kathmandu Mayor Balen if possible. However, after failing to find a point of agreement anywhere, Sudhan’s group eventually merged with Kul Man Ghising’s party, Ujyaalo Nepal.