KATHMANDU: Chair of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), KP Sharma Oli, has described the March 5 election as a referendum between forces building and destroying the nation.
Speaking at a program in Kathmandu on Thursday to unveil the party’s election manifesto, Oli said the upcoming vote is a contest between nationalists and what he termed anti-national forces.
“The election is a competition between nationalists and anti-nationals. It is a referendum between those who build the country and those who destroy it,” he said. “There is no meaning in the debate of old versus new. The UML has already proven itself in development and good governance.”
Oli also accused critics of spreading what he called the illusion of generational change. “Youth is fire; it needs direction. Experience is light; it needs energy. The country is built through a combination of youth and experience,” he said, claiming that the UML is capable of uniting youthful energy with seasoned leadership.
Raises questions over the September 8 and 9 incidents
In the manifesto, Oli also raised a series of questions regarding the incidents that took place on September 8 and 9. Addressing voters, he wrote that just as the public has questions for established political parties and leaders, he too has questions.
“Before September 8, was the country progressing or deteriorating?” the manifesto states. “Or was a narrative deliberately created to portray the country as failing in order to spread anger in society?”
Oli questioned who infiltrated the Gen-Z demonstration on September 8 and who compelled youths, who were reportedly returning home after a peaceful program as announced by organizers, to move toward restricted areas.
“Was the September 8 incident spontaneous or a premeditated conspiracy? Or was violence instigated by infiltrators to lay the groundwork for the destruction that followed on September 9?” he asked.
The manifesto further states that the Gen-Z protesters had not raised demands against the government, the Constitution or the system. Oli questioned why the House of Representatives was dissolved in a manner that appeared to attack the system itself, “as if fulfilling demands that were never made.”
He also asked why business establishments were set on fire and why private properties of ordinary party supporters across various districts were vandalized and looted.
“If it was political revenge, why were state security personnel, who were performing their duties, attacked?” the manifesto reads.
The UML stated that these questions are not conspiracy theories aimed at hiding internal weaknesses but issues that require answers in order to safeguard the Constitution, the political system and national sovereignty.
Oli maintained that stability, discipline and planned programs are essential to strengthening Singha Durbar, Parliament and the judiciary, and said the party would immediately advance its manifesto commitments in the first Cabinet meeting if elected.
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