Key developments from Nepali media
The Nepali Congress has submitted the name and signature of President Sher Bahadur Deuba to the Election Commission while registering the party for the National Assembly elections to be held on 11th Magh and the House of Representatives elections to be held on 11th Falgun. Even though Deuba had given a message on 18th Asoj that he would be retiring from active politics by appointing Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka as the acting president, the Nepali Congress has submitted the application for party registration with him as the president. ekantipur
By putting forward his name while registering the party, Deuba has conveyed the message that he will be active in distributing tickets for the upcoming elections. The decision to participate in the elections and register the party for election purposes was made at the central working committee meeting on Saturday. ekantipur
Source: ekantipur
Context: the Gen Z protests and attacks on leaders’ residences
The demonstrations were triggered by the government’s decision last week to ban 26 social media platforms. While the ban was a catalyst for the current unrest, protesters channelled a deeper dissatisfaction with the country’s authorities. The demonstrations turned violent in Kathmandu and some other cities, with dozens reported killed and many injured in clashes with police. On Tuesday, protesters set fire to parliament and attacked government buildings and the houses of political leaders — including the home of former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. BBC
A report noted: “The ensuing demonstrations turned violent in Kathmandu and some other cities in Nepal, with 19 protesters dying in clashes with police on Monday… On Tuesday, protesters also set fire to parliament in the capital Kathmandu, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Government buildings and the houses of political leaders were attacked around the country.” BBC
Kathmandu Post reported that Gen Z protesters reached the Budhanilkantha-based house of former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, but were stopped before they could attack; it also documented attacks on multiple leaders’ residences across districts. The Kathmandu Post
Source: BBC
Political implications cited in coverage
“By putting forward his name while registering the party, Deuba has conveyed the message that he will be active in distributing tickets for the upcoming elections.” ekantipur
Questions about party leadership and whether the general convention should be held before elections have intensified after Deuba’s name was submitted for party registration. “After the Gen-G movement, the process of the party’s leadership passing to the second generation had begun, but the party has returned to its old position by sending the name of the president to the Election Commission,” the report noted. ekantipur
Kathmandu Post documented the wider pattern of attacks on leaders’ homes and public buildings, underlining the scale of unrest protesters unleashed and the security concerns that followed. The Kathmandu Post
Join the Discussion
- “What will be the situation of the Congress if it contests the election on a ticket signed by President Deuba?” ekantipur
- “What could happen next?” BBC
- “Who is protesting?” BBC
Please share your perspective on these developments and on the question posed by supporters and critics: can a leader who was targeted by violent protesters re-engage credibly in grassroots politics and ticket distribution while addressing the movement’s grievances? ekantipur BBC