Kathmandu, October 12
CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has said that the political “siege” against his party continues, calling on party members to confront future challenges and resist what he described as the use of force by the powerful against the weak.
Oli made the remarks while addressing a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected central committee members at the party’s central office in Chyasal on Monday.
He said democracy had been weakened and national sovereignty and freedom undermined, arguing that their restoration was essential.
“Democracy has been eroded. Sovereignty and freedom have been weakened. Restoring these is an essential condition. If force and repression are used to prevent this restoration, we will reject them and resist, as we have done in the past and must continue to do now,” Oli said.
He also argued that people should resist if unarmed citizens were suppressed through weapons and organised force.
Oli said protest should not be confused with arson or looting, but should instead mean resisting the powerful when they use force against the weak.
“Setting fires and looting are not movements. A movement means resisting when the big and powerful use force against the weak,” he said.
Oli further claimed that the UML continued to face political pressure ahead of the upcoming elections. He cited the political developments of 2020 and 2022, alleging that efforts had been made to encircle his party, including an attempt to take control of it in 2020.
He urged party members to remain prepared to face the challenges ahead.
