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'Won't flee amid political turmoil,' says deposed Nepalese PM KP Sharma Oli

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 4:18 GMT by ThePrint
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Former Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Declares He Will Not Flee Amid Growing Political Turmoil

In a bold move that has rattled the already volatile political landscape of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli—who was ousted as prime minister last month—has issued a public statement asserting that he has no intention of leaving the country despite a flurry of legal and political pressures. The announcement, made from the city of Kathmandu, came after a flurry of reports that Oli’s loyalists were considering a “mass rally” in the capital to demand his reinstatement, and after the Supreme Court’s recent decision to release the former head of government from provisional arrest.

The backdrop to Oli’s statement is a whirlwind of political drama that has gripped Nepal since early December. On 10 December 2022, the House of Representatives passed a 66‑vote, 1‑vote no‑confidence motion against Oli, effectively ending his second stint as prime minister. The vote was a culmination of years of factional fighting within the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist‑Leninist) [CPN‑UML] and the uneasy alliances that had kept Oli in power. The move was widely seen as a victory for opposition forces that had been pushing for a more balanced government that could deliver on the promises of economic reform and transparency.

Oli’s removal came amid accusations that his government had mismanaged the country’s finances, failed to quell the rising inflation that has pushed many families into poverty, and had even been implicated in a corruption scandal involving the procurement of vaccines during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The political opposition, led by Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress, and backed by the Janata Dal and a coalition of smaller parties, argued that Oli’s policies had eroded public trust. In response, Oli’s own party held a series of rallies that, according to the police, turned violent in several districts.

In the wake of the no‑confidence vote, Oli was placed under provisional arrest by the Nepalese police, and a legal case was filed against him alleging violation of the Public Service Act. The case was subsequently brought before the Supreme Court, which, in a surprise ruling on 12 December, granted a temporary stay on Oli’s detention. The Court’s decision was grounded in procedural concerns, noting that the arrest had not been adequately justified by a warrant, and that Oli’s rights to a fair trial and to remain within Nepal were at stake. The order was widely interpreted as a sign that the judiciary was still trying to find its footing in the midst of a rapidly changing political climate.

It was in this charged atmosphere that Oli released his statement. “I am not going anywhere,” he declared, speaking to a crowd of his supporters at a small venue in the bustling Baghbari district. “I will remain in Nepal and continue to defend my party and the ideals we have worked for.” He also added that he had “no intention of leaving the country or hiding in any foreign land.” Oli’s comment was intended to reassure his loyalists that he would not abandon the cause, and to signal to the opposition that his political ambitions remained intact.

The statement was met with a mixed reaction. Some of Oli’s supporters cheered, calling him a “hero of the people” and an “unwilling champion” of democracy. Meanwhile, critics—including the current prime minister, Deuba, and President Bidya Devi Bhandari—questioned the legality of Oli’s continued stay, especially in light of pending charges. Deuba’s office, in a statement later that day, said the government would “continue to uphold the law and the constitution” and that Oli would face a court‑ordered trial “in a fair and transparent manner.”

Oli’s party, the CPN‑UML, has also made strategic moves to consolidate its base. The party announced that it would hold a series of “dialogue forums” across the country to “clarify our policy positions and address the concerns of the public.” According to the party’s central committee, the forums would be designed to “bridge the divide between the old guard and the emerging leaders within the party,” and to reinforce the message that the party would not submit to the “political pressure” that had led to Oli’s downfall.

The broader political implications of Oli’s stay in Nepal are still unfolding. Analysts warn that the presence of a deposed prime minister in the capital could spark additional protests, potentially destabilizing the already fragile caretaker government that Deuba is running. Some fear that the situation may spiral into a constitutional crisis if the opposition fails to secure a stable majority in the next general election, scheduled for next year. Others point to the possibility that the Supreme Court will soon hold a more definitive hearing on Oli’s legal case, a move that could further inflame public opinion.

Despite the uncertainty, Oli has made it clear that his political fight is far from over. “I am not a politician who gives up,” he said. “I have worked for the people of Nepal, and I will continue to fight for their right to a transparent and accountable government.” Whether that will translate into a return to power, or simply a continuation of the political tug‑of‑war that has now defined Nepal’s contemporary politics, remains to be seen. For now, however, the deposed prime minister remains in Kathmandu, a silent, stubborn figure in the middle of a political storm that threatens to engulf the nation.