President Ramchandra Paudel has urged Gen Z representatives to make history by ensuring the success of the upcoming election on March 5, next year, according to his press advisor, Kiran Pokharel.
The President made this appeal during an interaction with interim government officials and Gen Z activists at the Office of the President in Sheetal Niwas, on Thursday.
President Paudel stated that the new election was called so that the right people from the younger generation could run the country, ensuring it becomes truly free from corruption, nepotism, favoritism, and partisan interest. He urged them not to take the election lightly but to see it as a "mega-campaign" to transform the nation.
"I urge you to step forward in this election and ensure that a strong House of Representatives is formed. Do not let the corrupt and dishonest win; let the good and honest be victorious," Pokharel quoted the President as saying. "After that, the country must proceed on the path of justice and good governance, and the nation must prosper. The situation where youths are compelled to migrate abroad must end."
President Paudel clarified that although the President is not the executive authority under the constitution and parliamentary system, he held the discussion with the Gen Z representatives, including the interim government, to honor the youth-led movement. He also assured that the government would address the remaining demands of the protestors.
He noted that the interim government was formed by exercising the President's constitutional authority to promote national unity—an achievement of the youth's anti-corruption and good governance uprising. He appealed to them to take this as a success of their movement and fully participate in the March 5 election.
The President cautioned the youth to be vigilant against those who would exploit their legitimate movement for self-interest and seek personal gain.
Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, present at the meeting, praised the President's tireless efforts to manage the country's challenging situation, despite his age and health. She described his appeal to the youth as emotional and poignant, urging them to take his words as the "voice of his inner conscience," noting his long, continuous struggle for the nation and its people.
Gen Z representatives clarified that their movement was against misrule and corruption for socio-economic justice and was not against the constitution, democracy, federalism, or inclusivity. They affirmed their commitment to conducting the election and stressed that the movement's demands must be fulfilled, recognizing the protests' legitimacy.
PM Karki, ministers, and Gen Z representatives, including Madan Karki, Monika Niraula, Bhoj Bikram Thapa, Shiva Yadav, Urpajun Chamling, Nikunja Bhandari, Rijan Rana, Bablu Gupta, Ojashwiraj Thapa, Purushottam Yadav, Aditya Acharya, Khemraj Saud, Apsana Banu, Pradip Pandey, Gunjan Shah Thakuri, and Dhiraj Joshi.
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