Nepal Rally Draws Massive Crowd as KP Sharma Oli Returns to Political Front

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Bhaktapur on Saturday to support former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The rally launched a three-day convention for his party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist). Police said about 70,000 people were present. It was one of the largest gatherings since the violent anti-graft protests that forced Oli from office in September.According to Reuters, political observers said the scale of the crowd showed the party still holds strong influence. The event came at a tense time, as Nepal continues to recover from protests that killed scores of people and caused major economic damage.

KP Sharma Oli Rally Signals Strong Comeback

The rally marked a key moment for KP Sharma Oli as he seeks re-election as UML president. His party said they hoped to mobilize up to 300,000 supporters. The police estimate was lower, but the turnout was still the biggest since the Gen Z protests shook the nation.Those protests killed 77 people and injured more than 2,000. They also led to the burning of government offices, including the Supreme Court and parliament. According to Reuters, the army had to rescue Oli and other leaders and keep them protected for several days.The interim government, led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, later dissolved parliament. It reported that the unrest caused more than $586 million in losses to Nepal’s $42 billion economy. Oli told the crowd that the dissolution was unconstitutional. His party has filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking restoration.The UML says they are not against young protesters. Oli said claims about the party being “anti-Gen Z” were false. Party leaders argued that the huge crowd proved they still had deep support.

What the Rally Means for Nepal Politics in 2025

More than 2,000 UML delegates will vote for a party president on Monday. Oli faces a challenge from his deputy, Ishwar Pokharel. The winner will lead Nepal’s largest communist party into the next parliamentary elections set for March 5.Analysts say the rally shows that Nepal’s political landscape is still unsettled after the unrest. Many voters are frustrated with the economy and ongoing political shifts. The UML hopes to use the public show of force to regain lost ground.The large turnout could reshape alliances and set the tone for the election season. It also shows how quickly public mood can shift in Nepal. Both parties and voters are watching closely to see what happens next.

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The KP Sharma Oli rally marks a major turning point in Nepal’s political tension. Many will look to the party election and the March vote to see whether the former prime minister can turn this momentum into real political power once again.

Thought you’d like to know-

Q1: Why was the KP Sharma Oli rally important?

The rally showed strong support for Oli after months of unrest. It also opened the UML’s three-day party convention. It signaled his bid to regain leadership.

Q2: How many people attended the rally?

Police estimated about 70,000 people came. Organizers had claimed they would mobilize up to 300,000. It was still the biggest crowd since the protests.

Q3: What triggered the earlier protests in Nepal?

The protests were youth-led and focused on corruption. They turned violent in September and caused heavy damage. According to Reuters, 77 people died and over 2,000 were injured.

Q4: What happens next for the UML?

Delegates will vote for a party president. The winner will lead the party into the March parliamentary elections. Oli is facing a challenge from Ishwar Pokharel.

Q5: Why is parliament dissolved?

The interim government dissolved parliament after the unrest. It said the move was needed for stability. Oli argues the step was unconstitutional.