Nepal, Oct. 31 -- Democracy is young in Nepal-it turned 17 in 2025. I am 26. In these shared years of growth, the year 2022 marked a sharp political turn where two faces from non-political backgrounds won with a landslide victory. One became a mayor, the other a member of parliament. While the hope instilled felt new, it still operated under the recycled concept of a hero coming to save the day.

The faces changed, but the existing political culture of the deification of a leader did not, and sadly has not. Post September 8, too, despite the changed political mandate, Nepal continues to seek a sole redeemer, which may only pave the way for another KP Oli to be born if the understanding of 'leadership' is not redefined.

Political culture ...