Nepal's Ex-PM KP Oli Leads Massive Rally Following Historic Gen Z Protests and Parliament Dissolution

The devastating "Gen Z" protests in September resulted in 77 fatalities across Nepal.

On Saturday, supporters of Nepal's former prime minister KP Sharma Oli gathered in massive numbers, creating the largest political assembly in the Himalayan nation since youth-driven anti-corruption demonstrations ousted him three months prior.

According to police estimates, approximately 70,000 people attended the rally in Bhaktapur near Kathmandu, marking the beginning of a three-day convention for the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist). Rally organizers had previously announced expectations of 300,000 attendees.

Political analyst Puranjan Acharya described the event as "the biggest mobilisation of supporters" by any political organization in the capital following the anti-corruption protests.

The "Gen Z" demonstrations and subsequent civil unrest in September claimed 77 lives and left over 2,000 injured. During this tumultuous period, Oli and several other politicians required army protection for days as protesters set fire to the Prime Minister's Office, Supreme Court, and parliament buildings.

The interim administration led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki subsequently dissolved parliament. Officials report that the unrest caused more than $586 million in damages to Nepal's $42 billion economy.

At Saturday's rally, Oli, who is seeking re-election as UML president, denounced the parliament's dissolution as unconstitutional. The UML has submitted a petition to the Supreme Court requesting parliament's reinstatement.

"We are being projected as anti-Gen Z youths. But this is not true," Oli declared to the crowd.

UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel addressed the gathering, stating, "Although we were forced out, we still live in the hearts of the people," and added, "The presence of so many people in the rally is a proof of this."

More than 2,000 UML delegates will vote for their party president on Monday. Oli faces a challenge from his deputy, Ishwar Pokharel.

The victor will lead Nepal's largest communist organization into the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5.