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The resignation of 21 MPs from Rabi Lamichhane’s RSP in one coordinated move marks a dramatic escalation in Nepal’s unfolding political crisis.
KP Sharma Oli (left), Rabi Lamichhane (right) (Image: PTI and Wikimedia Commons)
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday, following massive violent protests against his government. His resignation came a day after 19 people died in massive protests led by the youth of Nepal, against the ban imposed by his government on 26 social media apps, including Instagram, Facebook and X.
On Tuesday, protests in Kathmandu spiralled into violence as demonstrators chased and pelted stones at security personnel during rallies against alleged corruption. Nepal President’s residence was among the many places, which were attacked by the protesters.
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The agitators also torched the residence of Oli at Balkot in Bhaktapur, while he was at the Prime Minister’s residence at Balwatar. Protesters also pelted stones at the Bhaisepati residence of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, as well as the home of Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Biswo Paudel.
While the situation in Nepal remains tense, all eyes are now on who could lead the country after Oli’s exit.
Rabi Lamichhane
Top sources have told CNN-News18 that Rabi Lamichhane, who is the former home minister of Nepal, could lead the charge only if he comes out of jail after Oli government’s exit. He founded the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in 2022. The resignation of 21 MPs from the RSP in one coordinated move marks a dramatic escalation in Nepal’s unfolding political crisis. Framed as a calculated attempt to destabilise parliament, this strategy positions Rabi Lamichhane as the central disruptor of Nepal’s fragile political order.
Lamichhane, who entered politics as a media personality and built his appeal on exposing corruption, has become the face of a new generation’s frustrations. Unlike the entrenched leaders — Deuba, Oli, Prachanda — who dominate Nepali politics, Lamichhane presents himself as a clean, untainted alternative.
By mobilising students, unemployed youth, and urban professionals, he has successfully channelled digital dissent into street pressure, ensuring that the youth-led protests are not just a momentary outburst but a sustained challenge to the status quo.
Lamichhane’s disruptive politics signals the endgame for Nepal’s traditional parties or old guard. The frustration with dynastic, corrupt leadership is fuelling a shift where the youth are not just protesting but demanding power themselves. In this environment, Lamichhane’s rise reflects a deeper transformation: a generational transfer of legitimacy.
Balendra “Balen” Shah
Another name doing the rounds is Balendra “Balen” Shah, who is the Mayor of Kathmandu. While he is still not being seen as a frontrunner to succeed Oli, his rise in Kathmandu signals a shift in voter sentiment — an appetite for independent, youthful leadership outside traditional party lines.
He assumed office on May 30, 2022, following a successful independent candidacy in the 2022 local elections. Balen Shah is a structural engineer, rapper, poet, and composer turned politician. He stands out as the first independent candidate ever elected to this prominent post.
On September 7, Balen Shah had expressed his full support for the Gen-Z-led protests against corruption and the controversial social media ban in Nepal — though he noted he couldn’t physically attend due to the age restriction for that movement, saying: “The rally is clearly a spontaneous movement of Gen-Z … I give my full support.”
He specifically encouraged the youth to keep the protest non-partisan, cautioning political parties and leaders not to exploit the movement for personal or political gain.
While these are just names doing the rounds amid sources, the situation in Nepal remains volatile. Sources say more clarity may emerge over the next 24 to 48 hours as to what the future of the country would look like.
About the Author
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
September 09, 2025, 15:09 IST
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