KATHMANDU, Jan 11: The CPN-UML has concluded that democracy in Nepal is currently under threat. This assessment was made during the party’s ongoing second Central Committee meeting, following the Gen Z movement and the political developments that ensued.
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. He urged party members to remain mobilized and prepared for elections, emphasizing the need to intensify organizational and electoral readiness.
Oli said that through the party’s vigilant and active role, and with the efforts of other pro-democracy parties and civil society, UML has successfully prevented further regressive actions. He claimed that anti-democratic forces continue to threaten democracy, even as the government has been pressured to retreat from undemocratic practices.
He described attempts by suspicious actors to prevent established parties from participating in elections or even leaving their homes, calling these efforts a failure. Efforts to implicate the former prime minister and home minister in connection with the events of September 8–9, 2025 (Bhadra 23–24, 2082 BS), whether through false propaganda, media trials, or summons, were also unsuccessful.
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Oli stressed that the party cooperates fully with lawful inquiries, prosecutions, and sanctions as per the law. However, he asserted that the UML will not be trapped by manipulative or malicious theatrics. He added that staged political plays based on pre-written commission reports have also ended, and that regressive forces attempting to continue the destruction of September 8–9 are weakening.
The party chairperson noted increased political polarization in the country, now framed not by ideology or policy, but by whether parties legitimize the September 8–9 destruction or restore democracy. Threats, hatred, and attempts to sideline democratic forces have failed, he said, as these forces also anticipate democratic resurgence through elections.
Oli claimed that individuals lacking accountability and public ethics are attempting to challenge democratic institutions, and warned against the illusion that a single leader or populist movement could magically solve the country’s problems. He criticized populism for destabilizing democracy, manipulating public sentiment, and fostering disorder.
He emphasized that the challenges from the September 8–9 events remain, democracy and the constitution are under threat, and society continues to face uncertainty and fear. National unity is weakening, external risks are rising, and there is widespread confusion and disillusionment among citizens. Oli called for continued dialogue, minimum consensus, and cooperation among pro-constitution and democratic forces to address these issues.
He reaffirmed UML’s commitment to participate in elections without retreat, supporting fair, peaceful, and secure electoral conditions. Oli criticized the government for failing to ensure a safe environment for elections, citing uninvestigated security lapses and retained weapons from the September 8–9 incidents, which undermine voter confidence.
He concluded that UML continues to demand a secure and fearless electoral environment and remains ready to engage democratically.
