Discussion in Bangladesh Following Nepal’s Election Results: Different Realities for Youth in Politics

PNN News Desk, Dhaka

The recent parliamentary elections in Nepal have drawn attention in international media, including analyses of Bangladesh’s political situation. This is mainly due to both countries witnessing a rise of youth leadership and subsequent political changes.

Reuters reported that Nepal’s Balendra Shah-led Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) achieved unprecedented success in the elections. Out of 165 seats directly elected, the party won 125. It also led in proportional representation, securing a majority in the 275-member parliament and paving the way for government formation.

Following a youth-led political movement in September 2025, the then Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned, and general elections were held under an interim government. Balendra Shah, elected mayor of Kathmandu in 2022, became a prominent national political figure, rising from a rap musician to a 36-year-old potential future Prime Minister.

The RSP was founded in 2022 by Ravi Lamichhane, gaining popularity by positioning itself against traditional political corruption and nepotism. In the same context, Bangladesh saw the launch of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in 2024 as a new political party led by young leaders. In the 2026 parliamentary elections, NCP allied with an older political party and won six out of the 30 seats allotted to the coalition.

Experts note similarities in youth involvement in both countries, though differences in organizational strength and strategy affected electoral outcomes. Dhaka University Professor Asif Mohammad Shahan noted that the RSP successfully established itself as a symbol of change, earning voter confidence, whereas NCP could not expand its organization nationwide.