KATHMANDU: After being forced to resign as Prime Minister following the Gen-Z protests of September 8 and 9, CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli resurfaced in Gundu, Bhaktapur, on September 18, following a ten-day stay away from public view.
Having left Baluwatar via a Nepal Army helicopter for Shivapuri in the immediate aftermath of the Gen-Z protests, Oli now continues his political engagement from Gundu, adjacent to Politburo member Mahesh Basnet’s neighborhood.
Initially expected to attend the Constitution Day ceremony at the Chyasal central office, burned during the protests in the name of Gen-Z, Oli remained in Gundu due to security concerns. With ancestral homes in Tehrathum, Damak, and Balkot destroyed in the unrest, the Gundu residence has become a temporary political base for Oli.
While Oli maintains a low profile in Gundu, his family has begun visiting the affected sites. Two days ago, his wife Radhika Shakya, visited the charred Balkot home, which is planned to be converted into a museum for the state.
Inside the party, debate over leadership change continues, but Oli has strategically consolidated support within the secretariat. He has been meeting secretariat members individually to gauge positions and secure a majority before calling meetings, ensuring his influence remains intact. Allies like General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Deputy General Secretaries Pradeep Gyawali and Bishnu Rimal are actively supporting him.
Oli’s dialogues extend to senior and deputy vice chairs, including Bishnu Poudel, Ishwar Pokhrel, and Prithvi Subba Gurung, who hold key positions, reinforcing his base.
His focus remains on maintaining leadership until the 11th general convention, while critics like Ram Bahadur Thapa and Astalakshmi Shakya voice alternative visions for party reform.
Despite internal dissent, Oli’s supporters argue that current challenges demand unity and strong leadership, emphasizing that changes in leadership should only be considered at the scheduled general convention. In recent informal discussions, Oli attributed the recent upheaval to foreign influence rather than the Gen-Z protests themselves.
Party insiders note that Oli is actively strengthening grassroots connections, meeting district and provincial committee leaders and other key functionaries. According to sources, he shows no signs of stepping down soon, and his strategy focuses on reasserting control and preparing for future political maneuvers, ensuring the CPN-UML remains cohesive amid ongoing pressures.
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