Kathmandu witnessed another day of turbulence as Nepal’s political crisis deepened. Two days after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stepped down amid widespread protests, the country’s Gen Z activists have reportedly identified former Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) chief Kulman Ghising as a leading candidate for interim prime minister.
Ghising, widely credited with ending decades of crippling load-shedding, has become the focal point in a rapidly evolving political scenario. His name surfaced alongside other prominent figures, including former Chief Justice Sushila Karki and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, as youth leaders push for technocratic leadership over traditional political figures.
Proven track record in crisis management
An electrical engineer by training, Ghising earned his bachelor’s degree at the Regional Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur, India, followed by a master’s in power systems engineering from Pulchowk Engineering College, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He joined NEA in 1994 and steadily rose through its ranks, eventually becoming managing director in 2016.
Under his leadership, Nepal eliminated the 18-hour daily load-shedding that had plagued households and businesses for decades. Ghising overhauled hydropower operations, ensured equitable distribution of electricity, and launched public awareness campaigns to optimize consumption. By 2018, Nepal’s cities were largely free of power cuts, a feat that earned him nationwide acclaim.
Controversial removal sparks backlash
In March 2025, the Oli government abruptly removed Ghising from NEA, months before his tenure was scheduled to end. The decision triggered widespread protests and drew criticism from opposition parties and civil society, highlighting the political stakes surrounding his career. Analysts argue his removal was politically motivated, given his technocratic reputation and public popularity.
Education, career, and political potential
Ghising’s appeal lies in his professional credibility. Unlike conventional politicians, he brings a results-driven approach honed through decades of engineering and public service. Nepal’s youth, frustrated with entrenched political dysfunction, see in him a leader capable of bridging governance gaps and delivering measurable outcomes.
Gen Z’s backing signals a shift in the country’s political expectations: Technical competence, institutional integrity, and education-based leadership are now currency in a landscape dominated by partisan politics.
Nepal at a crossroadsWith the army imposing curfew measures nationwide, political uncertainty is acute. If Ghising assumes an interim role, it would mark a rare instance of technocratic leadership being propelled by youth-driven mobilization rather than party structures. For a country long plagued by governance inefficiencies, the prospect of an engineer at the helm underscores both desperation and a desire for pragmatic, effective leadership.
Nepal now watches closely: Can a power-sector technocrat translate operational success into political stability, or will entrenched political forces limit the ambitions of a man who once turned on the lights for millions?
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