The political atmosphere in Jhapa has suddenly heated up in the cold of December after Balendra Shah, a senior leader of the National Independent Party (NISP) and Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, indicated that he would be running for the House of Representatives from Jhapa-5.

Especially, young leaders of Jhapa-5 affiliated with various parties have started seeing this election as an opportunity for generational change. A new debate has suddenly started in this constituency, which has been revolving around the same face and the same power center for years.

Jhapa-5 is not only a constituency, it is also a 'bastion' linked to the political identity of UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. That is why many have started seeing Balendra's potential candidacy as a direct challenge to established politics.

Changing psychology among youth
At the center of this debate are young leaders affiliated with various parties. They have started openly saying, 'There is no alternative to generational change now.' A young leader affiliated with Oli's own party says, 'Now generational change is necessary. There is no alternative to replacing the oppressors and exploiters.'

Young people affiliated with the Congress, on the other hand, seem to be somewhat wary of candidates coming from outside, accepting the demand for generational change. A young leader close to the Congress said, ‘Generation change is necessary, but it should be through leadership that comes from local struggles. Popularity alone cannot fulfill long-term political responsibility.’ According to him, decisions should be made in the name of youth by focusing on policies, programs, and local needs rather than emotional waves.

National Independent Party youth leader Devi Prasad Pathak claimed that Balendra is being made a candidate after understanding the voters’ intentions after visiting Jhapa-5. Pathak said, ‘Balen is not going to fly around on a whim, he is going to become a candidate after weighing everything.’ According to him, the voters’ psychology this time seems to be that they made Oli the Prime Minister by winning first, this time they will make Balendra the Prime Minister by winning.

According to Pathak, dialogue has already begun with the Gen-Gs of Constituency No. 5 about Balendra’s possible candidacy. Pathak claims that even youth affiliated with other parties are positive towards the new face.

The Gen-G awareness campaign was launched from Damak, Jhapa on November 11. Youth leaders affiliated with Nepal Gen-G Front, Raksha Bam, Uparjun Chamling and Yetish Ojha, addressed the gathering. ‘Now whether Jhapa-5 gets a young candidate or not, the country is keeping an eye on it,’ Gen-G leader Bam said, ‘We are watching this place, we are saying, let the blood shed on Bhadra 23 not go in vain.’

Youth leaders close to UML see Balendra’s potential candidacy as a challenge rather than a rejection. Despite the strong influence of social media, UML youth believe that the final decision will be made by voters based on local contributions. Campaigner and youth leader Santosh Dulal said, ‘Oli is not a new face for Jhapa-5. He has contributed to development, organization and national politics. However, it is a positive thing for the youth to raise questions.''

Generational change: Will the name change or thinking?

The debate in Jhapa-5 is not limited to Balendra's candidacy, this debate is also linked to the deeper question of whether it will be only in the name of leadership generational change or will there be a change in thinking and working style.

This debate has become more serious after it was reported that Balendra has already conducted an initial survey of the situation, development status and local needs of Jhapa-5. The news that a formal call is being prepared through social media has further increased the interest of the youth.