From Power Chief to PM? The Rise of Kulman Ghising, the Man Nepal’s Youth Want to Lead
Amid a rising tide of political frustration and massive youth-led protests demanding systemic change, a new and unexpected name has emerged as a potential leader for Nepal: Kulman Ghising.
He is not a seasoned politician, nor the head of a major party. He is an engineer. Yet, in a nation fed up with political infighting, Ghising—the celebrated reformer who ended the country’s crippling power cuts—is now being championed by the public as the frontrunner to be the next Prime Minister of a proposed “citizen-led government.”
This extraordinary development is a direct result of the ongoing Nepal youth protest movement, which has rejected the established political class and is instead calling for a competent, non-political technocrat to take the helm. For many in Nepal, and for observers in neighboring India, the rise of Kulman Ghising represents a seismic shift in Nepal politics.
Who is Kulman Ghising? The Man Who Ended the Darkness
To understand why a technocrat has become a national political hope, one must first understand the darkness he defeated. For over a decade, Nepal was plagued by chronic, rolling power cuts known as load-shedding. Life in Kathmandu and across the country would come to a standstill for up to 18 hours a day. Businesses could not operate, students could not study, and the economy was crippled.
Then, in 2016, Kulman Ghising was appointed the Managing Director of the state-run Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
His Background: An engineer by profession, Ghising holds a master’s degree in Power System Engineering from India’s prestigious Regional Engineering College, Rourkela (now NIT Rourkela). He had spent his entire career at the NEA, working his way up from the bottom.
The Challenge: He took over an institution riddled with corruption, inefficiency, and political interference. Ending load-shedding was considered an impossible task.
The Miracle: Through a combination of brilliant technical management, a ruthless crackdown on electricity theft, and a refusal to bow to political pressure, Ghising achieved the unthinkable. Within two years, he had made Kathmandu free of load-shedding, and soon after, the entire country.
He didn’t just bring back electricity; he brought back hope. He became a national hero, a symbol that with competence and integrity, Nepal’s biggest problems could be solved.
From Technocrat to Prime Ministerial Candidate: The Perfect Storm
So, how did a former electricity chief become a contender for the nation’s top job? The answer lies in the current political crisis.
The Nepal youth protest is not just against a single party or leader; it is against the entire political culture of corruption, instability, and broken promises. The protestors are demanding a citizen-led government—a system run by experts, not career politicians.
In this environment, Kulman Ghising is the perfect symbol.
He is a proven technocrat who delivers results.
He is widely seen as incorruptible and apolitical.
He is immensely popular with the public, who see him as a doer, not just a talker.
His name began trending on social media as the ideal candidate, and the idea quickly gained traction among civil society groups and the protest leaders on the streets. He represents the new leadership they are desperately seeking.
The “Citizen-Led Government” Model: A New Path for Nepal?
The movement championing Ghising is not calling for a political coup, but a political reset. The proposed citizen-led government would likely be an interim setup with a clear, limited mandate:
Oversee clean and early elections.
Pass strong anti-corruption legislation.
Implement basic economic reforms to create jobs.
Under this model, Ghising would lead a cabinet of other respected, non-political experts. It is a radical idea born out of desperation with the current system.
The Hurdles: Can a Non-Politician Really Become PM?
While Kulman Ghising is the people’s choice, his path to the Prime Minister’s office is filled with major obstacles.
Constitutional Process: Nepal’s constitution requires a Prime Minister to command a majority in Parliament. As an independent figure with no political party, Ghising cannot meet this requirement through normal means. This would require the existing political parties to agree to step aside and support him, which is highly unlikely.
Political Opposition: The leaders of Nepal’s major political parties will not give up power easily. They are likely to view Ghising’s popularity as a threat to their entire establishment.
Ghising’s Stance: As of now, Kulman Ghising himself has remained publicly silent on the matter, neither accepting nor rejecting the calls for him to lead.
Also Read: Nepal’s Gen Z Rises: Youth Demand Early Elections, Reject Monarchy, Says Ex-Minister
The India Connection
For India, and particularly for bordering states like Uttar Pradesh, a stable and predictable Nepal is a strategic priority. The prospect of a Kulman Ghising-led government is viewed with cautious optimism in New Delhi. His status as an India-educated professional is seen as a positive sign for bilateral relations. A pragmatic, technocratic leader focused on economic development and energy cooperation—Ghising’s core strengths—would be a welcome change from the politically-driven instability of recent years.
Conclusion: A Symbol of Hope for a New Nepal
Whether Kulman Ghising ever becomes the Nepal PM remains highly uncertain. The political and constitutional hurdles are immense.
However, his emergence as the overwhelming public choice is, in itself, a historic moment. It signals a fundamental shift in the aspirations of the Nepali people. They are tired of the old politics and are now demanding competence over charisma, and results over rhetoric.
Kulman Ghising is no longer just the man who ended the power cuts; he has become a powerful symbol of hope for a new, more efficient, and more prosperous Nepal.
