Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has taken a decisive step by initiating the transfer of party leadership to address the country’s complex political situation. Following the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9, during which he endured attacks on his property and person, Deuba appeared publicly 35 days later alongside his wife, then-Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba. He handed over the role of acting party president to senior leader Purna Bahadur Khadka, and the Deuba couple subsequently traveled abroad for medical treatment. Having risen through the student movement, Deuba has personally experienced the harsh reality of being forced out of politics due to the activism of a new generation. Yet, by initiating the leadership transition, he has opened a path to reform the murky political environment and set an example of responsible and forward-looking leadership. Leadership transitions in NC have a long history. During BP Koirala’s absence, the party was led by the triumvirate of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Ganesh Man Singh, and Girija Prasad Koirala, who maintained the flame of resistance even during the difficult Panchayat era. Their stewardship contributed to the success of the 2046 People’s Movement in alliance with leftist parties.
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Leadership cannot remain with a single individual indefinitely; prudent leaders select successors capable of advancing the movement. Artificially enforced leadership changes only weaken personalities and fragment parties. Deuba’s decision, therefore, is both timely and wise. In today’s complex political context, only by understanding the landscape and entrusting leadership to capable hands can a party’s legacy be preserved. Leaders who delay such decisions risk not only their own position but also the well-being of their party. Similarly, the CPN (Maoist Centre) has begun focusing on its upcoming general convention. Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has confined his role to that of convention coordinator, drawing some criticism for stepping aside as party chair while assuming the committee head role. Nevertheless, this move is viewed as paving the way for future leadership. Political parties, as the true actors of democracy, must maintain momentum through responsible leadership. Decisions, not age alone, determine relevance, and the leaders who emerged from the Gen Z movement bear responsibility in shaping the country’s political direction.
In contrast, the CPN-UML faces a more challenging transition. Despite its nationwide presence, UML has yet to play a decisive role. Chairperson and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who resigned under pressure from the Gen Z movement, has indicated he will not step aside, warning other party leaders and activists that they cannot “walk together” with him. For Oli, the Gen Z movement represents a backlash to counter, and he has shown little willingness to entrust the party’s future to capable hands. While senior leaders like Oli have contributed significantly to the country, selecting capable successors is now essential to honour their legacy and ensure party stability. Failure to do so will weaken UML further. Many voices within the party remain unheard, and those who speak risk marginalization. In this context, Deuba’s proactive leadership in Nepali Congress stands out as exemplary. By facilitating a smooth transition, he has demonstrated political maturity and a commitment to the party’s future. If his initiative inspires other parties to follow suit, it will strengthen democratic processes, fulfill the aspirations of the Gen Z movement, and better prepare all parties for upcoming elections. Leadership, as Deuba shows, is not about holding onto power—it is about ensuring continuity, stability, and progress.
