Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday after demonstrations against the social media ban intensified into an anti-corruption protest. While the protests continue, plunging the small Hindu state into chaos, speculations are already rife about who will be the next head of state.
One of the prominent names doing the rounds is that of Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah aka Balen Shah.
The 33-year-old is a prominent voice among the protestors. “My full sympathy is with the youth,” he wrote, while stating that he cannot participate in the protests due to the age limit set by organisers. “The rally is clearly a spontaneous movement of Gen-G, for whom even I may seem old,” Shah wrote. “I want to understand their aspirations, objectives, and thinking,” he added.
He has been an emerging leader for the past few years after featuring in Time Magazine’s Top 100 Emerging Leaders. His transparency and grassroots style of politics earned him popularity. A civil engineer turned rapper, Shah won the mayoral elections as an independent candidate. His initiative to clean up city streets, improve public schooling, and crack down on tax-evading private institutions has won him accolades.
9 youth died in the Gen_Z protest in Nepal against socialist government ban on 26 social media apps including Facebook, youtube and @X .
— Tulsi For President (@TulsiPotus) September 8, 2025
Youths demand complete change of leadership in the country most deaths are due to police firing. #Nepal #genznepal #genzie pic.twitter.com/XEuh6yk8ts
Post Oli’s resignation, Shah has already given a public statement, urging the youth to exercise restraint. In an emotional and firm message, Shah urges youth to control their emotions and to take responsibility for the future of the country. "We said it clearly. This is absolutely a Gen-Z movement. Dear Gen-Z, your killer's resignation has come. Now maintain patience."
Shah added that harming the people and public property of the country is not acceptable in any form. "Damage to the people and property of the country is the loss of your and our property. You and we need to exercise restraint now," he said.
