Nepal’s political landscape heated up again this week as the CPN-UML used its mass gathering in Gundu, Bhaktapur to deliver a sharp message to the ruling coalition: we’re ready for confrontation.

After days of silence, UML leaders, led by party chair K.P. Sharma Oli, took to the stage in Gundu, using the event to question the government’s legitimacy and set the tone for a potential political showdown.

Oli’s Return and Message of Defiance

K.P. Oli, who had remained largely out of the public eye under tight security for over a week, re-emerged with fiery rhetoric.

He rejected the government-formed commission investigating the recent Gen Z protests, calling it politically motivated and unconstitutional. “The commission has no moral ground. It’s a tool to silence dissent,” Oli said, urging the youth not to be misled by what he called the administration’s “selective justice.”

Oli further demanded that the dissolved House of Representatives be reinstated, insisting that its dismissal violated democratic norms.

His speech drew loud applause from supporters, many of whom interpreted his return as the start of UML’s next political campaign.

Party leaders said the rally represented not just dissent, but a “reawakening of people’s rights.” Yet analysts view it as more than symbolism; they see it as UML’s declaration of open confrontation with the ruling government.

UML’s Next Move

UML leaders announced that their youth wing will organise a mass motorcycle rally in Kathmandu, signalling that the campaign will now move from speeches to visible street mobilisation.

The move comes as tensions between political parties and youth groups remain high following weeks of nationwide protests.

Meanwhile, UML leader Mahesh Basnet made headlines after warning Gen Z activists not to stage demonstrations in Gundu, claiming the area “belongs to UML’s movement.” His comments drew criticism online for fuelling division.

E-Buzz Takeaway

UML’s rally in Gundu was more than a party event, it was a statement of intent. In a country still recovering from youth-led unrest, Oli’s defiance signals that Nepal’s political story is far from settled.

For a generation watching from the sidelines: students, creators, workers, it’s another reminder that power still plays out on the streets as much as in Parliament.

Whether this turns into reform, rivalry, or renewed instability will depend on how leaders choose to channel public emotion in the weeks ahead.