BS EDIT: Himalayan Hopes

By Business StandardPublished On Mar 9, 2026

A Regional Pattern

After Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Nepal’s elections follow youth-led protests against entrenched elites

A New Face

Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, a political outsider, rode Gen Z discontent to a decisive victory

RSP’s Surge

The young Rastriya Swatantra Party swept key seats, displacing established political parties

Youth Expectations

High joblessness, corruption and political instability drove the demand for change

An Ambitious Agenda

Promises include jobs, higher incomes and reduced migration, though execution remains uncertain

Strategic Ripples

Leadership change could reshape Nepal’s balance between India and China