Madhesh Province Sees Partial Reflection of Gen Z Political Awakening in Federal Elections

Dhanusha. The political landscape of Madhesh Province appears somewhat different this time. The list of candidates registered for the House of Representatives elections partially reflects the political consciousness of the 'Gen Z' or the new generation that has recently emerged across the country.

Especially after the youth movement in the past Bhadra, their direct intervention in politics has increased. This has also been felt in Madhesh Province. According to Gen Z campaigners, this representation is not entirely satisfactory.

They say, "The appearance of some young names on the list is a positive sign, but there is still a feeling that those with access and influence are prioritized." Previously, although the spirit of the Gen Z movement was reflected in the lists of candidates presented by some new and old political parties for proportional representation, most of those names belonged to individuals with political connections.

Fifty-eight Gen Z candidates are contesting from Madhesh Province in the House of Representatives elections. Among the candidates, there are two women and 56 men. According to the Election Commission, 41 Gen Z candidates are running as independents and 17 from 12 political parties.

Although the number of Gen Z candidates is small, it is considered significant in terms of local political history. Ujyalo Nepal Party has nominated three Gen Z youths, and Janmat Party has nominated three, while the Shram Sanskriti Party has fielded two.

CPN-UML, Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, CPN (Maoist Centre), Aam Janata Party (Single Election Symbol), Jan Adhikar Party, Janata Loktantrik Party Nepal, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, and Nepal Ka Lagi Nepali Party have each nominated one Gen Z youth candidate.

Ujyalo Nepal Party has nominated 26-year-old Shrawan Paswan from Siraha Constituency No. 3, 28-year-old Manojkumar Gupta from Mahottari Constituency No. 1, and 25-year-old Ramakant Prasad Patel from Rautahat Constituency No. 2.

Janmat Party has nominated 27-year-old Birendra Mahato from Mahottari Constituency No. 1, 28-year-old Sonu Kushwaha from Rautahat Constituency No. 2, and 28-year-old Ram Kalyan Raut from Rautahat Constituency No. 4.

Shram Sanskriti Party has nominated 26-year-old Pankajkumar Thakur from Siraha Constituency No. 4 and 28-year-old Wasim Shesh from Parsa Constituency No. 1.

CPN-UML has nominated 27-year-old Amanishkumar Yadav, son of former lawmaker Shivpujan Yadav, from Sarlahi Constituency No. 4. Candidates in this constituency include Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa and Rastriya Swatantra Party leader and former House of Representatives member Amresh Singh.

Rastriya Swatantra Party has nominated 28-year-old Bablu Gupta, who served as the Minister of Youth and Sports in the interim government, from Siraha Constituency No. 1.

CPN (Maoist Centre) has fielded 27-year-old Ajay Kushwaha in Bara Constituency No. 4. Rastriya Prajatantra Party has nominated 27-year-old Ajaykumar Das from Saptari Constituency No. 2, and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party has nominated Neelam Kumari Yadav from the same constituency.

According to sociologist Neel Bahadur Lumre, the common characteristic of these young candidates is 'dissatisfaction with the style of old political parties and intervention with new thinking.' Sociologist Lumre considers it novel that they are reaching out to voters with good governance, employment, education, health, and local development as their main agenda, and engaging with voters through social media, direct meetings, and community discussions, which is a departure from traditional politics.

According to political analyst Shankar Mahato, the presence of Gen Z candidates is a signal of long-term change in political culture, regardless of whether they win or lose. Analyst Mahato states, "Whether these youths win or not, their participation will inspire more youth in the upcoming elections."