Political Crisis In Nepal: Gen-Z Demands Prime Minister Balen Shah's Resignation Within 150 Days Of Office
Political stability in Nepal is facing an unprecedented test as widespread public anger, parliamentary pressure, and internal party dissent target Prime Minister Balen Shah. Less than 150 days after taking the oath of office on March 27, 2026, the administration is grappling with fierce protests. Notably, the very Gen-Z youth factions and supporters who were instrumental in bringing Balen Shah to power have returned to the streets of Kathmandu, gathering at Maitighar Mandala to demand his immediate resignation.
Parliamentary Scrutiny And Low Attendance Draw Fire
Beyond street protests, Prime Minister Shah is facing intense heat inside Nepal's Parliament. Opposition lawmakers and members of his own party have sharply criticized his frequent absences from legislative sessions, having attended only 5 out of 39 total sittings. Prompted by mounting pressure, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has formally directed the Prime Minister to appear in Parliament to address pressing legislative questions. Furthermore, internal friction has surfaced within the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), where senior leaders and MPs, including Jagdish Kharel, have publicly rebuked Shah's unilateral style of governance and his perceived detachment from the party structure.
Border Policy Backlash And India-Nepal Relations
The administration's policy decisions have also triggered severe regional unrest. Controversial measures regarding customs duty enforcement along the India-Nepal border sparked immediate, violent protests in border towns, forcing local authorities to hurriedly relax the mandates. Additionally, Prime Minister Shah's handling of complex geopolitical relations—including statements concerning border disputes with India and a delayed administrative response to communal clashes in southern border districts—has drawn sharp criticism from diplomats, opposition groups, and domestic stakeholders alike.
Compounding these challenges, veteran Gorkha soldiers in Pokhara have staged persistent demonstrations demanding a resolution to the stalled recruitment of Nepali youths into the Indian Army under the Agneepath scheme. As political opposition intensifies and internal alliances fracture, the coming days will prove critical for the survival of the current administration.
