16 November 2025
 
Federalism and Localization Centre (FLC) in collaboration with Provincial Center for Good Governance (PCGG), Bagmati Province, organized an interaction program bringing together Gen Z activists and leaders from existing political parties to deliberate on the challenges confronting Nepal’s federal system. The event was chaired by Hon. Indra Bahadur Baniya, Chief Minister of Bagmati Province. Hon. Baniya, welcomed the participants and asserted the significance of federalism in Nepal by highlighting that this system intends to cater the poor and weaker sections of the society. This followed with a presentation by Dr. Khimlal Devkota on “The Journey of the Federal Democratic Republic: Challenges and Opportunities.” He traced the Nepal’s journey of federalism, in particular, and democracy, in general – from the fall of Rana regime to the adoption of federalism in 2017. 
The participants from GenZ (Jasmine Ojha, Majid Ansari, Bikas Rasaily, Uparjun Chamling, Rijan Rana Magar, Bikas Yadav, Purshottam Yadav, Abhijit Adhikari, Afsana Banu, Yubaraj Mukhiya, Shiva Yadav, Biraj Aryal, Amit Khanal, Prasuj Mainali) reflected their views of federalism and raised questions to the leaders of the political parties present in the event. They asserted that federalism is the need of the time and they are committed to preserve it amidst the political unravelling. However, there is a trust issue that Nepal’s federal system endures. If there is a threat to federalism this is from the people who are in the political domains, who are supposed to the be protectors of federalism. They posed questions on where do the senior leaders from political parties stand on the recent incident taken place in Madhesh province, calling it conspiracy designed in Gunduk. They further highlighted that the incidents of 23 & 24 happened because ‘you did not listen to us. You didn’t listen to the younger members of your respective political parties.’
Responding to the issues raised by the GenZ activists and the questions posed to them former Chief Ministers acknowledged the failures of their political parties and they themselves made their remarks. Mr. Rajendra Kumar Rai, former Chief Minister of Koshi Province and senior leader of CPN (Unified Socialist) requested the GenZ leaders ‘to be considerate while blaming and accusing us. We fight our own differences within parties in our own ways.’ Mr. Lal Bahadu Raut former Chief Minister and General Secretary of JSP lamented on the ‘protests of 23 & 24 as it was not just a protest against social media ban, it was about the collective failures happening in the country. This andolan was of 3 crore Nepalis. You are better placed to bring the change.’ Likeiwse, Ms. Asta Laxmi Shakya, former Chief Minister and leader of Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), agreed with what the GenZ leaders asserted and further stated ‘We haven’t moved from our traditional norms of feudalistic. The interference in Madhesh orchestrated from Gudnuk is shameful and is a threat to federalism.’
 
Mr. Shalikram Jamkattel, former Chief Minister of Bagmati Province and leader of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) agreed with the ‘every claim the young generation made without any reservation in that.’ Lamenting on what has been going wrong in Nepal that there has never been a conclusion of revolution. It has always been compromising and understandings. Mr. Dillibahadur Chaudhry, former Chief Minister of Lumbini Province and leader of Nepali Congress asserted that two chief ministers must compete with each other in development and good governance; it should be about access to people. We have a lot to achieve in terms of preserving our identities and cultures. We have been raising the issues of devolving power but we failed and you managed to do it. The issues you raised and advices you made are extremely important – I pledge to accept them and in my political life from now on I will make sure they are addressed.
 
The event was facilitated by Mr. Gopal Krishna Neupane and his team provided incredible support in successfully organizing the event. This report is prepared by Mr. Prahlad Lamichchane and Mr. Mohd Ayub.