The interim government formed after the Gen Z movement of September 8 and 9 has completed 100 days. Along with this, various Gen Z groups have begun evaluating the government’s actions and performance.

While some Gen Z groups are dissatisfied with the government, others say it should focus on holding elections in line with its mandate. Some of the dissatisfied groups have even begun preparations to intensify street protests.

Miraj Dhungana, who was not seen on the streets during the days of the Gen Z movement, held a press conference on Sunday and said he would now take to the streets. The group led by Dhungana announced a movement demanding the formation of an all-party government.

During the conference in Kathmandu, the Dhungana alliance said the current government had betrayed the spirit of the Gen Z movement. 

Dhungana claimed that the government led by Sushila Karki has already failed based on its 100 days of performance and said protests would begin from Monday (December 22).

“The Gen Z movement of September was not meant to build anyone’s brand or serve as a ladder for leaders. No one should try to rise by stepping on the movement. The current government led by Sushila Karki does not carry the spirit of the movement and does not represent our leadership,” he says. “That is why an all-party government must now be formed. What the country needs today is political leadership that can take all sides into confidence and provide an exit for the nation.”

Dhungana claimed that the government led by Sushila Karki has failed to uphold the spirit of the movement. “The Gen Z movement was not launched to hold elections two years before the scheduled time. This government does not appear to be providing any solution. Why is Sushila so fixated on elections?” he asks.

Dhungana’s argument against going to elections is not based solely on an evaluation of the government’s 100 days. Although he made such claims at the press conference, he had been saying from the beginning that this government should be brought down and form a new one. On October 18, when he held a press conference at the Everest Hotel announcing plans to form a party, he argued that they had not formed a party to contest elections.

Even then, Dhungana had said that this government’s mandate was not to conduct elections. According to him, since the government was formed to move forward by amending the constitution on important issues, it did not have the mandate to hold elections.

“If the current government thinks it will become an election government, that is an illusion. The purpose of this government is not to hold elections in the current situation,” he says.

Having opposed elections from the very beginning, Dhungana is now determined to go for a movement by forming a coalition. Harish Bhatt, close to Dhungana, said the Gen Z coalition preparing for protests consists of 26 groups. He said details about the groups involved would be made public soon.

Gen Z Front: Elections are necessary

The Gen Z Front says that elections, rather than protests, are the need of the moment. According to the group led by Raksha Bam, there is no alternative to elections at present, and the government should focus on that.

Front leader Yujan Rajbhandari said they are also preparing accordingly and plan to support independent candidates emerging from the organisation.

He argued that they would not support movements launched with the backing of other forces and said protests aimed at disrupting elections are not justified in any way.

“We are not in favour of protests. We should not get trapped in the chaos of toppling the government and forming another one in the name of an all-party setup,” Rajbhandari says. “This government must now conduct the elections, and we should support that.”

He added that if anyone from their group wishes to contest elections independently, they would support them.

Elections are essential for an exit: Gen Z Movement Alliance

The Gen Z Movement Alliance also says there is no alternative to elections in the current situation and that it is not in favour of protests. According to alliance leader Monika Niraula, they are not involved in the movement being proposed by the Miraj Dhungana group.

Instead, she urged everyone to understand the situation and support elections.

“Whoever is talking about launching protests, we are not involved in that. In the current situation, we are firm that elections must be held,” Niraula says. “However, protesting is a constitutional right. If they choose to protest, we have nothing to say against it. But we only request that a mature decision be taken after understanding the current context.”

Niraula also argued that the demand raised by the Dhungana group for immediate constitutional amendment is not practical at this time.

No alternative to elections: The Council of Gen Z

Leaders of The Council of Gen Z say that there can be no better alternative than elections in the current situation. According to Koshi Province coordinator Uparjun Chamling, the Council of Gen Z believes elections should not be avoided.

“Those who are announcing protests, are they really Gen Z? The public is aware. Everyone has seen who is who,” Chamling says. “We are not chasing such theatrics. In the current situation, there is no better or more beautiful option than elections.”

Hinting at Miraj Dhungana, Chamling adds, “Those who ran away from the streets during the Gen Z movement yesterday, why are they now saying they will come to the streets today? The public understands this clearly.”

He said that without elections, the country risks heading down two paths, and Gen Z citizens who care about the nation will not support that. Without elections, the country could move either toward authoritarian forces or toward the restoration of parliament, he said. Therefore, Gen Z must be clear about what it wants.

“Today’s youth want neither authoritarian rule nor the restoration of a parliament that hands power back to the same old thuggish gangs,” he says. “That is why there is no alternative to elections right now.”

The post One movement, many voices as Gen Z divides on Nepal’s political exit appeared first on OnlineKhabar English News.