KATHMANDU, Sept 11: With Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stepping down in the wake of the Gen Z movement, the country faces growing uncertainty over its political direction. At this critical juncture, the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML -- the two largest parties in the federal parliament -- have stressed that the way forward must remain firmly within the bounds of the constitution.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, NC general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma underscored the need to chart Nepal’s future course through constitutional and legal means.
President Ram Chandra Paudel has already called for dialogue following the protests. Amid discussions over dissolving Parliament or appointing a prime minister from outside the House, the NC urged all sides to resist extraconstitutional solutions and instead work within the existing framework.
Thapa and Sharma further noted that even decisions justified under the “doctrine of necessity” must comply with constitutional and legal provisions. They cautioned that bypassing due process would only deepen instability and chaos, calling on both President Paudel and Gen Z representatives to adhere to constitutional norms during negotiations.
The NC leaders also warned against creating a prolonged constitutional vacuum while building a new political structure to govern the country and oversee elections. They emphasized the adoption of every possible legal measure to safeguard stability.
“We must pursue solutions through constitutional and democratic means to outline a roadmap for ending this crisis,” the statement read. “In that effort, the Nepali Congress will extend its full support.”
Similarly, the UML has called on President Paudel to initiate meaningful dialogue to resolve the political crisis triggered by Prime Minister Oli’s resignation, stressing that the way forward must remain strictly constitutional and democratic.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel and Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali expressed sorrow over the deaths of youths during the recent “Gen Z” protests and warned that subsequent violence had set the country back by decades.
“The political crisis following the prime minister’s resignation must be addressed through constitutional and democratic processes,” the statement read. “We urge the president to initiate result-oriented dialogue to meet the aspirations of the younger generation for good governance, efficient service delivery, and rapid development.”
They noted that key state institutions — including the Federal Parliament building, the President’s Office, Singha Durbar and the Supreme Court — were heavily damaged, while priceless archives and documents were destroyed in fires. Losses to public and private property, they said, amount to billions.
The UML condemned the killing of 19 youths by police during the demonstrations, demanding an impartial investigation and accountability for those responsible. It also called for a review of how destructive incidents occurred despite organizers pledging peaceful protests, and urged scrutiny of the security agencies’ role.
The party also directed its members nationwide to remain united, coordinate with local administrations to safeguard public property, and assist communities in need. At the same time, it urged the Nepali Army and security agencies to act decisively to curb looting and arson and ensure the safety of citizens and their property.