Desk Report:
Sudan Gurung, one of the leaders of Nepal’s recent Gen-G movement, has announced that he will contest the country’s general elections in March. He has also announced the formation of his own party. The movement he led to oust the Nepalese government earlier this month. “Our movement will continue to form a people’s government,” Sudan said.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera‘s Sandra Guthman, 36-year-old Sudan Gurung said that his party is not a historical political party, but is gathering supporters from across the country “for change.” “Selfish and corrupt leaders have dragged us into politics. If they want politics, they will get it. We will fight in the next election. Because there is no time to back down now,” he said.
Sudan is a familiar face of the mass uprising led by Nepal’s Gen-G generation. The movement began after the government blocked various social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and YouTube. But the protests quickly turned into widespread anger over corruption, state violence and lack of justice. Dozens of young protesters were killed and thousands injured. Nepal’s then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on September 9 in the wake of the protests.
Sudan believes they are ready to run the country. Their volunteers have formed legal and communication committees and are using platforms like Discord and Instagram to gather policy demands from across the country. He says his party is working to ensure “the voice of every Nepali is heard.”
He plans to contest not as an independent candidate but as “a group.” “If I stand alone as an independent candidate, we will not have this youth power. Together we are stronger.”
Sudan’s party has pledged to work on a broader agenda beyond fighting corruption. They plan to improve Nepal’s tourism sector and strengthen ties with neighbors India and China without “external interference.”
Sudan said he did not want the old political parties to participate in the March elections. He urged interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki to urgently investigate the corruption and killings of protesters.
Asked whether he had any desire to become prime minister, Sudan said, “I will not say now that I am the right person… but if the people choose me, I will definitely contest the elections.”
He said many were trying to silence him. Many had tried to intimidate him. Still, he said confidently, “I am not afraid… just killing me will not do anything. I have to save my nation. Because if not now, then never.”
