Kathmandu: The party of Nepal’s ousted prime minister "K P Sharma Oli" held its largest public rally in months on Saturday, as political tensions continue following youth led protests that shook the country earlier this year.
Tens of thousands of supporters of the "Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist Leninist" gathered in Bhaktapur near the capital Kathmandu. Police estimates put the crowd at around 70000, making it the biggest political gathering since the nationwide Gen Z protests in September.
The rally marked the opening of a three day party convention, where Oli is seeking re election as party leader. Addressing supporters, he accused the interim authorities of acting unconstitutionally by dissolving parliament and said his party stood with young people demanding better governance and accountability.
Oli was forced to resign during weeks of violent protests led largely by young demonstrators angry over corruption, economic hardship and restrictions on freedoms. The unrest led to dozens of deaths, widespread damage and a sharp blow to the economy. The government later said the protests caused losses of nearly 600 million dollars.
After Oli’s exit, a caretaker administration led by "Sushila Karki" took charge, promising to restore stability and hold national elections in March 2026. The interim government has also faced pressure to respond to youth demands for reforms and justice.
Oli’s party has filed a petition in the "Supreme Court of Nepal" seeking the restoration of parliament, setting the stage for a legal and political showdown in the coming weeks.
Analysts say the rally was an attempt by the former prime minister to show strength and regain political ground ahead of both internal party elections and the national polls. At the same time, youth activists say their movement is not aligned with any traditional party and that real change will depend on actions, not rallies.
With elections approaching and court decisions pending, Nepal remains at a delicate moment as it tries to move beyond months of unrest toward political stability.