Kathmandu, Dec 13: Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in Bhaktapur on Saturday for a rally organised by the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), marking the largest political mobilisation in the country since youth-led anti-graft protests forced former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli from office three months ago.
Police estimated that around 70,000 people attended the rally near the capital Kathmandu, although party organisers had earlier claimed participation could reach 300,000. The event marked the opening of a three-day national convention of the UML.
Political analyst Puranjan Acharya described the gathering as the largest mobilisation by any political party in the capital since the anti-graft protests, underlining its political significance ahead of upcoming elections.
Nepal was rocked by widespread unrest in September, when the so-called “Gen Z” protests erupted across the country, leaving 77 people dead and more than 2,000 injured. During the violence, key state institutions including the Prime Minister’s Office, the Supreme Court and Parliament were set ablaze, forcing security forces to evacuate and protect senior political leaders, including Oli.
Following the unrest, the interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki dissolved parliament, a move that remains contested by Oli’s party. The government has estimated the economic damage from the unrest at over $586 million, equivalent to about 1.4% of Nepal’s $42 billion economy.
Addressing the rally, Oli said the dissolution of parliament was unconstitutional and rejected accusations that his party was hostile to younger protesters.
“We are being projected as anti-Gen Z youths. But this is not true,” he said.
UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel told supporters that the turnout reflected continued public backing for the party despite its removal from power.
“We still live in the hearts of the people,” he said, adding that the crowd’s presence was proof of that support.
Oli is seeking re-election as UML president, facing a challenge from his deputy Ishwar Pokharel, with more than 2,000 delegates eligible to vote. The outcome will determine the leadership of Nepal’s largest communist party as it prepares for parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5.
