KATHMANDU, Oct 20: CPN-UML Chairman K P Sharma Oli has accused the interim government led by Sushila Karki of being unconstitutional and claimed it has no intention of holding elections.
Speaking at an interaction with editors of major media outlets in Kathmandu on Sunday, Oli alleged that the current administration was formed by bypassing constitutional provisions and is now engaged in a “conspiracy” to arrest leaders of major political parties.
“This government is unconstitutional. It cannot, does not want to, and will not hold elections because it is heading in the wrong direction,” Oli said. “I hear there’s an invisible order to arrest party leaders. If Oli, Deuba, and Prachanda [Pushpa Kamal Dahal ] are jailed and parties are barred from participating, then who will contest the elections?”
Oli also criticized the manner in which the prime minister was chosen, calling it a “farce.” “Is this how a prime minister is chosen—like a Gen Z drama staged in the name of some so-called caste? This is a spectacle and unconstitutional,” he remarked.
UML chair Oli visiting Darchula for election campaign
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Oli alleged that the interim government was formed unconstitutionally despite clear constitutional alternatives. “There was room to form a government through constitutional means, but they ignored it,” he said. “The first decision of this government was made under the condition of dissolving Parliament.”
He added that the Constitution could have been amended to allow a non-MP to become prime minister for six months under special circumstances instead of taking what he described as “unconstitutional steps.”
Addressing the Gen Z movement, Oli said the protests had legitimate demands, including controlling corruption, ensuring good governance, and unblocking social media. However, he alleged that anarchist groups later infiltrated the movement. “Our Gen Z brothers and sisters returned, but some were surrounded by those elements and taken toward the international convention center,” he said.
Oli further claimed that the shootings on September 8 and the arson and looting on September 9 were “premeditated conspiracies.” He told editors that on the night of September 8, he had already urged the cabinet to form a judicial commission to investigate the incident.
Oli challenged authorities to investigate his personal property to disprove corruption allegations. “Form a team and investigate,” he said. “You will have to account for every speck of ash from my burnt house, because I have nothing else.”
He maintained that his income comes solely from his salary as an MP and minister and called allegations of corruption against him baseless. “I don’t engage in corruption—and I don’t let it happen,” he asserted.
Oli also declared he would not cooperate with the probe led by Gauri Bahadur Karki, which was formed to investigate the casualties during the September 8–9 Gen Z protests. “KP Oli is honest, but commissions are formed everywhere I go. Is it my job to go and give statements to whoever calls me?” he said, describing the inquiry bodies as politically motivated.
The commission was formed by the interim government under Sushila Karki to investigate the violent incidents during the youth-led protests that eventually brought down the elected government.
Responding to criticism that he has failed to prepare a successor, Oli said hundreds of capable leaders exist within the party. “There are hundreds of leaders in UML, thousands capable of leading at various levels,” he said.
Commenting on his age, the 73-year-old politician pointed to global examples of older leaders. “The person leading the United States is 81. In Bangladesh, the leader is 85. In India, 76. I’m only 73,” he quipped. Oli also criticized the media for remaining silent about the recent attack on Sher Bahadur Deuba at his residence, calling the incident unjustifiable.
