Former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli on Saturday made his first public appearance since stepping down in the wake of the September 8 Gen Z protests that shook Nepal’s political establishment.
Oli, who had remained away from the public eye since his resignation on September 9, was initially kept under protection by the Nepal Army before moving to a temporary residence. His reappearance comes shortly after a CPN-UML secretariat meeting, confirmed by the party’s Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali.
Marking his return, Oli attended a youth event organised by Rastriya Yuwa Sangh, the student wing of CPN-UML, in Bhaktapur. The move is widely seen as an effort to reconnect with younger supporters who were sharply critical of his leadership during the crisis.
His re-emergence follows violent demonstrations led by Gen Z protestors demanding accountability, an end to corruption, and a reversal of a social media ban. The protests, which escalated into Nepal’s bloodiest unrest since the 2006 pro-democracy movement, left at least 74 people dead over ten days, including dozens of students.
Clashes erupted near the federal parliament, where demonstrators breached the gates and set the entrance ablaze. Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition, some fired from within the parliament building.
The violence prompted Oli’s resignation, with former Chief Justice Sushila Karki sworn in as interim Prime Minister. While Oli denied ordering the crackdown, his administration has been severely criticised for its handling of the uprising.
The September 8 movement, now dubbed the “Gen Z Revolution,” is being compared to the 2006 protests that ended Nepal’s monarchy. With parliament dissolved and elections due in March, the country faces a volatile transition as demonstrations continue across Kathmandu and other cities.
Observers say Oli’s return to the public stage signals his intent to retain influence within his party and national politics, even as public anger over his leadership remains high.
