Geopolitical experts in Nepal believe what transpired in the country in the last two days unmistakably bears resemblance to the "Bangladesh model", where street fury toppled a civilian regime led by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli.
"This now looks like a Bangladesh-model to us," a senior bureaucrat was quoted as saying by News 18.
The diplomat says many protesters now seek a transitional government headed by a combined leadership of civilians, judiciary and military leadership to steer the nation.
"The protesters are now divided in terms of opinion. A section of them demanded an interim government, which would have civilians, Gen Z members, leaders or representatives from all political parties, which might be led by a former chief justice or former army chief. They want the interim government to hold elections in six months," he said, requesting anonymity.
The establishment, however, remains divided. While one faction views an interim arrangement as inevitable, the ruling camp insists on a structured dialogue with the protesters, warning that conceding to street pressures could serve to legitimise mob politics.
The protesters, however, remain defiant.
Commenting on the evolving situation, the diplomat added. "As the violence crept in, the movement turned leaderless. A team of senior representatives from the army, the government, the civil society, and some political parties are trying to initiate a dialogue with the protesters".
The Nepal Army has been consulted but remains cautious, though it has declared its readiness to take control.
Meanwhile, the idea of a former chief justice heading the interim government is gaining momentum, offering a semblance of neutrality in a political landscape where everyone else looks compromised, another senior officer said.
News18 spoke with the Prime Minister's former media adviser.
"There should be scope to initiate a dialogue between the team of representatives of the government, army, civil society members, and the protesters. Whoever controls the interim arrangement will decide Nepal's trajectory," said Gopal Khanal, a senior geopolitical commentator and former media adviser of ex-PM Oli.
The unrest in Nepal was triggered by a social media ban announced last week, which was later revoked after 19 people died on Monday when police used tear gas and rubber bullets to control protesters.
On Tuesday, hundreds of anti-graft protesters broke into Nepal's parliament building in Kathmandu, setting fire to different parts of it.
Several other government buildings, including the supreme court, ministers' homes, and Oli's private residence, were also set ablaze in Tuesday's protests.
On Wednesday, the streets of Kathmandu remained deserted following an indefinite curfew imposed on the capital, according to a Reuters report.
The unrest only began to subside after the Prime Minister's resignation.
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