Nepal's New Political Dawn: Hope, Responsibility, and the Future of the Diaspora

Nepal is writing a new chapter in its history. Last September 2025, a massive youth-led movement shook the country. This rebellion, sparked against social media bans, corruption, unemployment, and political instability, resulted in the deaths of dozens of youths, hundreds injured, and fires raging from the Parliament building to the President's residence.

 Ultimately, the government of K.P. Sharma Oli, who had served multiple terms as Prime Minister, fell, the parliament was dissolved, and elections were held on March 5, 2026, following the formation of an interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki.

The results of this election completely transformed Nepal's political landscape. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by 35-year-old Balen Shah (Balen), secured a clear majority—creating history by winning 125 out of 165 directly elected seats. Balen himself defeated CPN-UML Chairman K.P. Sharma Oli in Jhapa-5 by a margin of nearly 50,000 votes. Veteran parties like the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML suffered their biggest defeats in history. The CPN coalition, formed by 26 parties, barely registered a presence. This change is not merely a transfer of power—it is a massive victory for the people's anger, hope, and the rebellion of a new generation.

However, this victory carries immense responsibility. If the government formed now fails, the country will suffer for decades. Government failure does not just mean a change in power; it means the economy collapses, employment crises deepen, social trust erodes, and the nation's future darkens. If the mandate given by the people with great hope turns into disappointment, faith in the political system itself could vanish. When deep despair sets in among the people that "nothing changes," that is where the roots of democracy begin to wither.

A party can be rebuilt if it becomes small or weak; there is always an opportunity to strengthen an organization. But if the grand national dream seen by the people is shattered, it is not just a loss for one party—it is a betrayal of the nation's collective aspiration. If the hope entrusted by such a large number of voters is dashed, the price will be paid for years. No individual or party can ever be bigger than the nation. The nation's interest and the people's future must supersede power, position, personal ambition, or partisan interests. History has repeatedly taught that attempts to limit the country to individuals ultimately force the nation to pay a heavy price. Reaching power is not the goal; proving true leadership lies in establishing good governance, implementing policies, and improving public life after attaining power.

Today, the citizens of Nepal have intense expectations for change. The youth seek employment opportunities at home, startup chances, skill development, and a conducive living environment. Farmers desire fair prices for their labor, assured irrigation, fertilizers, seeds, and market access.

Workers hope for minimum wages, social security, and a dignified life. Women, Dalits, Janajatis, Madhesis, and marginalized communities expect equality, inclusion, and justice. Dreams of economic growth based on tourism, hydropower, information technology, and agriculture are prevalent. If the new government fails to address these expectations, it will not just be a political failure but also a social, economic, and moral one.

Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) have also played a special role in this journey of change. Living in various countries around the world, they have continuously contributed to strengthening Nepal's economy, society, and international image. They have provided significant support to the country's development not only through remittances but also through knowledge, skills, investment, and international experience.

A large part of Nepal's economy still depends on remittances from foreign employment, with the majority of contributions coming from Nepalis living abroad. Their hard work sustains millions of families and significantly supports the national economy. In such a situation, the state must seriously address the expectations and rights of NRNs who wish to maintain an emotional connection with the country.

Specifically, the state must positively resolve their demand regarding the continuity of citizenship. The connection to the motherland is not just an emotion; it is also tied to identity, responsibility, and the future. Children of Nepali origin born or raised abroad should also have the opportunity to maintain a relationship with their ancestral country.

If the state can connect with NRNs with trust and respect, their investment, knowledge, and experience can become a great force for the country's development. Therefore, acknowledging their contribution to the ongoing political and policy changes within the country and resolving the demand for citizenship continuity in a just and farsighted manner is the need of the hour.

A scare tactic is being spread that ensuring citizenship continuity will be taken as accepting dual citizenship, leading to the unrestricted entry of people from countries like India and China into Nepal. However, such an argument does not seem to align with reality or legal provisions. The new government needs to be unconcerned about this.

Citizenship continuity essentially means giving people of Nepali origin, who have historical and familial ties to Nepali citizenship, the opportunity to maintain their identity. This provision exists in various forms in many countries worldwide.

This does not automatically open the door for all foreign citizens to obtain citizenship, nor does it open the borders. The continuity of citizenship is granted only based on clear criteria, legal processes, and identity verification.

Spreading fear by suggesting that citizens of India, China, or any other country will automatically become Nepali citizens is not a solution to the real problem. Nepal's citizenship laws, immigration system, and the state's sovereign rights remain intact. Those legal structures clearly define the boundaries of who can be granted citizenship and who cannot.

In reality, citizenship continuity is a bridge connecting people of Nepali origin living abroad to their homeland. Its main objective is to create an environment where the knowledge, skills, investment, and experience they gained abroad can be linked with Nepal.

Therefore, rather than making citizenship continuity a matter of fear and illusion, it needs to be viewed from the perspective of the country's long-term interests, economic potential, and strengthening ties with the Nepali community spread across the globe. If the new government can move forward with confidence, establishing clear legal criteria on this matter, a beneficial path will open for both the country and the Nepali diaspora.

This time calls upon all of us—leaders, cadres, civil society, youth, and intellectuals—to be more responsible. Serious reforms are necessary to put the country on the path of change. For a corruption-free governance, transparent procurement processes, an independent Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), and digital administration must be established. For youth employment and education, a skill-centered curriculum, startup funds, and incentives for returning youth are needed. For an agricultural revolution, modern farming, price determination, and export promotion are essential. For economic revival, massive investment in hydropower, tourism, and IT sectors, along with infrastructure development, is required. For social justice, inclusive policies, empowerment of women and minorities, and institutional reforms—ending the politicization of the independent judiciary, police, and administration—must be prioritized.

We must rise above personal ambitions and partisan boundaries, keeping the nation's long-term interests at the center. This government has a massive majority, but this majority stems from public trust and anger. Protecting and fulfilling this trust is the biggest challenge. Following traditional political practices will not prove this broad trust successful in practice.

If we miss this historic opportunity, the future will never forgive us. But if we bravely, unitedly, and honestly embrace the path of reform, history will remember this time as Nepal's renaissance, the rise of youth power, and a golden era of prosperity. It must be accepted that the true strength of the nation lies especially in the younger generation.

Protecting the people's hopes, trust, and dreams, and transforming them into reality, is true politics. The RSP has received this opportunity. Now, the responsibility to transform this opportunity into a bright future for the country belongs to everyone. Nepal is rising now. Let us not allow this rise to fail; let us all unite to create this history.