DNA TV Show: Is Nepal Facing the Risk of Another Coup?

Quick summary:

• Sudan Gurung, leader of Nepal’s Gen Z movement and head of Hami Nepal organisation, played a key role in overthrowing teh KP Oli-led government and appointing Sushila Karki as Prime Minister through social media campaigns.
• gurung has now been sidelined from the political limelight, with individuals he opposed being included in the cabinet.
• A recent call by Gurung for a youth march failed to gather important support, highlighting his diminishing influence.
• Key issues raised by Gurung as potential weapons for rebellion:

– He demands increased compensation (50 lakh) for families of violence victims-against the government’s offer of 10 lakh.
– Allegations against Home minister om Prakash Aryal accuse him of betraying public interests for personal gain.
– Claims that PM Sushila Karki refuses to acknowledge or meet him despite his pivotal role in her rise to power.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
Sudan gurung’s sidelining marks a notable shift within Nepali politics that resonates across regional boundaries. His rapid ascent through activism-driven public movements facilitated major changes but also exposed challenges inherent in personality-driven leadership models. While social media can amplify voices and mobilize masses effectively-as evidenced by Gurung’s earlier success-it can also fail when strategic depth or sustained grassroots work is absent.

For India, cautious observation remains critical given its proximity to fluctuating power dynamics in Nepal’s governance structure which could indirectly affect bilateral relations or border security concerns. The emerging narrative around leadership betrayal and lack of compensation might fragment political alliances further, impacting stability within South Asia.

More importantly, this transition underscores the changing nature of youth-led political movements shaping governance dynamics globally-and especially amidst emerging democracies like Nepal-often with unpredictable repercussions.

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