Nepal’s Gen-Z leaders are struggling to reach consensus on the next Prime Minister following Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s resignation amid massive youth-led protests in Kathmandu. The Nepali Army, which has taken charge of security after Tuesday’s unrest, has invited protest leaders for dialogue, but internal divisions continue to stall progress.

According to Gen-Z leader Rabi Kiran Hamal, several names have been suggested for an interim government, including former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, ex-Nepal Electricity Authority chief Kul Man Ghising, and Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang. Karki, Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, is remembered for her tough stance on corruption, while Ghising earned public support for ending years of chronic power outages. Sampang, elected as an independent, is known for his populist appeal.

However, Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, once considered a frontrunner, is no longer being discussed, Gen-Z leader K P Khanal confirmed. The growing number of individuals claiming to represent Gen-Z has further complicated the decision-making process. Some leaders argue that only a Gen-Z figure should head the interim government, while others push for an apolitical personality.

The uncertainty also poses constitutional challenges. Nepal’s 2015 constitution does not provide for appointing an independent Prime Minister outside the parliamentary mandate. The Nepali Congress leadership has urged both the President and Gen-Z leaders to ensure that any solution respects constitutional and legal frameworks.

Amid the political turmoil, law and order remain fragile. Nepal Police reported that more than 13,500 prisoners escaped nationwide during the protests, along with 500 detainees in criminal investigations. While Kathmandu Valley saw the most unrest, the situation stabilized by Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tribhuvan International Airport resumed services from 3:30 pm, with the Nepal Tourism Board advising foreign visitors to confirm flights with airlines.