KATHMANDU: Social activist Iih has analysed the political turbulence and unseen power plays that emerged after the Gen-Z movement on September 8 and 9 and during the formation of the new government. He said that the initial efforts to form a new government were limited to a small circle, with major political parties and power centers remaining relatively inactive.
According to Iih, the first priority after the September 9 unrest was to make Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah the Prime Minister. However, as the situation worsened, Balen reportedly backed out of the plan.
He further revealed that after the fall of the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government, Rabi Lamichhane was considered the second option, but his influence weakened amid the crisis. On September 10, efforts were also made to appoint former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha as Prime Minister, but differences over constitutional issues prevented consensus.
Eventually, the need for a credible and widely acceptable figure led to the proposal of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. Iih noted that Balen lost the opportunity due to political and ideological ambiguity, while current Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal played a crucial role with a principled and lawful stance.
He also revealed that there are ongoing efforts by Balen and his close circle to replace Aryal as Home Minister, prioritising either Metropolitan Police Chief Raju Pandey or Meera Chaudhary for the position.
“If the Home Minister weakens, the Prime Minister’s position could also change. A major geopolitical and local power struggle is underway, with most stakeholders’ intentions still unclear,” Iih remarked.
He questioned, “Did the blood of the youth have to be spilled for this political chaos?” calling the situation “shameful and tragic,” and urged all sides to act with caution.
Iih stressed that those responsible for the crimes committed during the Gen-Z protests must be punished through due legal process. He said it was not only a matter of citizens’ rights but also of accountability and justice.
He further stressed the importance of holding elections on time, stating that political solutions and lawful measures are essential to move beyond the crisis of September 8–9.
The activist concluded that politics driven by personal or ideological interests at the cost of bloodshed and national unrest brings no long-term benefit. He argued that the country’s path forward must focus on legality, accountability, and ensuring timely elections.
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