Nepal’s ousted prime minister and Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-UML) chair K.P. Sharma Oli has vowed not to flee the country or abandon it to the current government, making his first public speech since stepping down earlier this month.
Speaking at a youth wing rally of the UML in Gundu, Bhaktapur, on Saturday, Oli said, “Do you think we will leave the country to this baseless government and run away? Never.” He told party workers that his party would rebuild the nation, restore constitutional order, and bring back peace and good governance.
This was Oli’s first public appearance 18 days after leaving the official prime minister’s residence. He had been under Nepal Army security for nine days before moving to a rented house in Gundu on September 18. Earlier, on September 9, protesters set fire to his private residence in Balkot, Bhaktapur.
Oli labeled the government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki as lacking public support, claiming it was formed through “looting, vandalism and arson” rather than through people’s votes. He challenged the Karki administration to release recordings of his directives to the administration and security forces during the protests, saying they would clear him of any alleged conspiracy.
He also accused the government of failing to provide him adequate security despite knowing the location of his new residence. “Social media posts are saying ‘find Oli’s new house and attack it.’ What is the government doing? Just watching,” he said.
Oli was forced to resign earlier this month after weeks of Gen-Z-led protests swept the country.
