Tapendra Karki

The assessment emerged from a series of province-level security coordination meetings held by the MoHA across the country. The final meeting, held in Madhesh Province on Tuesday, brought the nationwide review process to a close.

Their call for a “reformed Nepali Congress” drew visible momentum as around 30 central committee (CC) members who had previously broken ranks with the establishment faction joined the convention.

The Central Committee meeting began on Saturday as the government pushes to hold elections, coinciding with the Nepali Congress’s special general convention starting Sunday. During the meeting, UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli described democracy as being in crisis. 

Through the 33-page Inter-Party Directive–1 (Circular), which outlines the party’s internal direction and future course, UML committees have been told to prepare for protests should elections fail to take place.

During the Gen Z movement on September 9, a staggering 14, 555 prisoners serving sentences for various crimes broke free from prisons across the country. Security experts fear that some of these escapees could be used to destabilize the electoral process.

The CPN-UML has kicked into full election mode for March 5, forming committees, recommending candidates, and planning a nationwide campaign despite pending legal challenges.

The NCP had sought four of the 18 National Assembly seats, but sources say it withdrew after the NC–UML alliance agreed to offer only three. While pulling out, the NCP said discussions on a possible equation could continue until the eve of voting.

DoI moves toward a more systematic, tech-driven approach

UML's PR picks spark outcry for repeating veteran politicians, sidelining younger members despite promises of renewal. Out of 110 PR seats, several former ministers and lawmakers have received repeat opportunities, fueling internal dissent.

While Gupta has been placed in pre-trial detention, Shrestha has not appeared before the Special Court so far. Besides the two former ministers, the CIAA has named five others as defendants, including broker Sujan Lama (Tamang).