Nepal Polls May Be Pushed To Mid-2026, India Keeping Close Watch: Sources

Last Updated:October 27, 2025, 23:25 IST

The delay comes amid continued political uncertainty, widespread unrest, and growing pressure on traditional power blocs in the Himalayan nation

Newly-elected Prime Minister of Nepal's interim government Sushila Karki along with officials. (AFP file photo)

Elections in Nepal are unlikely to be held in March 2026 as planned and may be pushed back to May or June, sources told CNN-News18 on Monday. The delay comes amid continued political uncertainty and growing pressure on traditional power blocs in the Himalayan nation.

According to sources, political parties in the country are facing threats. Many offices have been destroyed, several leaders lost their homes during the unrest, and most of their finances and properties are now under investigation.

Sources allege that the current government’s strategy is to weaken established parties such as the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (UML), while giving an advantage to emerging pro-Western groups.

Some internal and external forces may also be attempting to use Nepal’s youth movement—popularly called the “Gen Z protests"—to create further instability under the guise of systemic reform, the source added.

The youth-led uprising in September, triggered by a brief social media ban and long-standing frustration over economic hardship and corruption, led to the fall of KP Sharma Oli’s government.

The unrest left at least 73 people dead and government buildings in flames. Within days, 73-year-old former chief justice Sushila Karki was appointed as interim prime minister to steer the country towards fresh elections, originally scheduled for March 2026.

India Keeping A Close Watch

Top intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that India is closely watching the political and security situation in Nepal. New Delhi considers Nepal’s democratic stability vital, especially given the two countries’ 1,700-km open border.

India, sources said, wants all sides to adhere to the constitution, avoid anarchy, and focus on economic recovery. There is concern that any collapse of Nepal’s fragile economy could push the country towards civil conflict.

Indian agencies are also wary of external interference. A prolonged political vacuum, they believe, could allow anti-India elements to gain ground and give China an opportunity to expand its influence through economic and infrastructural projects.

“Indian side has worries vaccum will give space to Chinese influence and Maoist sentiments to exploit chaos. Beijing is likely to use the instability to have more its political and infrastructural footprint. They will be looking neutral but will leave long lasting impact on youth," the source said.

For now, India’s diplomatic priority remains to prevent Nepal from drifting further towards China and to ensure that parliamentary democracy is restored to maintain long-term regional stability.

News world Nepal Polls May Be Pushed To Mid-2026, India Keeping Close Watch: Sources

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