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Greetings from Kathmandu!

There has been a significant drop in the production and dissemination of news, as Nepali journalists are busy celebrating the Dashain festival. Political activities are minimal, except for leaders issuing Dashain greetings. Kathmandu Metropolitan City has urged residents to remain alert about dengue infections in the Valley. The local authority stated that it is adopting preventive measures to control the disease. Since 2021, the number of dengue cases has been gradually rising across Nepal. Once limited to the Terai districts, dengue has now spread to all 75 districts of the country.

The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in some parts of the country this week, due to the likely formation of a depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal. This could impact people traveling home for Dashain celebrations. Government agencies have issued travel advisories, urging the public to remain cautious during the rainfall.

The Nepali Congress has objected to the government’s decision to bar KP Sharma Oli from traveling abroad. In a press statement, the party urged the government not to take revenge against opposition leaders or promote impunity. It also criticized the government’s directive to the police not to arrest or take action against individuals involved in vandalism and arson, calling it a mockery of the rule of law. Earlier, the CPN-UML had also objected to the decision. Leaders from both parties have expressed concern that such actions could hinder the environment necessary for holding free and fair elections on Oct 1.

The multiple GenZ protest groups, divided by different demands and political ideologies, are now attempting to unite on common causes such as ending corruption, promoting good governance, providing relief to the families of those killed during protests, and ensuring successful elections. However, there are concerns that some forces may try to exploit the GenZ protestors to serve their own agendas. There are reports that GenZ protestors are planning another demonstration in Kathmandu on Oct 9. However, some leading activists have released video messages denying such plans, expressing a desire to avoid violence in the coming days.

There is growing public concern over Mayor Balendra Shah, who was previously seen as a driving force behind the GenZ protests but has remained silent after the violence. He is under scrutiny for reportedly failing to send fire trucks when protestors set Singha Durbar on fire. Since the protests, Shah has mostly stayed quiet but has ramped up public relations efforts highlighting the progress made by the Metropolitan City. Though he remains popular among youth, his approval rating has slightly declined for the first time since being elected mayor in 2022.

Within the CPN-UML, some leaders are projecting former President Bidya Devi Bhandari as a potential party chairperson to replace the incumbent KP Sharma Oli. Recently, Bhandari held consultations with several politicians and intellectuals regarding the current political situation. Despite facing internal challenges, Oli has indicated he does not intend to step down, claiming he remains "popular among the people." However, his public reputation has taken a hit. In previous crises, Oli often played the "nationalist card" to regain support, but this time, it appears to be ineffective now.

Nepalis are now preparing for the main day of the Dashain festival on Oct 2, when people receive Tika and blessings from elders and respected members of their families. This year, President Ram Chandra Poudel and Prime Minister Sushila Karki will not be offering Tika to the public in light of the deaths of over 74 people during the GenZ protests. According to Nepal Police, more than one million people have left Kathmandu to celebrate Dashain, leaving the Valley nearly empty. Except for essential shops, most markets remain closed. On a positive note, major highways across Nepal remain functional despite minor landslides in some areas.

People who have reached their hometowns to celebrate the Dashain festival appear joyful.  They are sharing short videos of their villages, highlighting their deep connection to their birthplace, local environment, culture, and warmth of family love and reunion. I am really missing home and plan to leave early tomorrow morning.

Even during the Dashain festival, the newsletter will continue without interruption.

Happy Dashain to all.

Kamal Dev Bhattarai

Editor 

The BP Highway (Dhulikhel–Sindhuli–Bardibas) remains in a damaged state after floods and landslides struck in mid-September, causing daily hardship for commuters in areas like Katunjebesi, Mangalatar, and Nepal Thok.

With Dashain bringing thousands of travelers to the road, the situation has worsened. The diversion road built after the Roshi River flood damaged the highway is rough and dusty, making travel difficult and uncomfortable.

Officials say reconstruction of the severely damaged sections could cost around Rs 9.66bn, but funding has yet to be secured. Until then, travelers are forced to rely on the temporary dirt road. In Kavrepalanchok’s Namobuddha to Kaladhunga stretch, eight out of 12 kilometers were completely destroyed by the disaster. 

The 160-km BP Highway, built with grant assistance from Japan starting in fiscal year 1996/97 and officially handed over to Nepal in 2015, has now become a major travel bottleneck during the festive season.

Photos: Nepal Photo Library

The violent protests of Sept 8–9 led to the collapse of the powerful coalition government led by the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML, with KP Sharma Oli at the helm. More than three weeks have passed since the formation of the interim government under Sushila Karki, established on the mandate of the GenZ protests.

Second-rung and youth leaders from the major political parties—NC, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Center)—who had long demanded changes in party and government leadership, have now aligned with GenZ’s core demands: curbing corruption, restoring law and order, and initiating leadership reforms.

The CPN (Maoist Center) has already dissolved its Central Committee to prepare for a general convention. Within the Nepali Congress, leaders Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma are pushing for a leadership transition.

However, within the UML, resistance to change remains strong. While some party leaders have voiced that KP Sharma Oli should at least step down as chairman, Oli has remained defiant. Critics within the party warn that maintaining the status quo could damage the UML’s chances in upcoming elections.

Oli, who has faced a storm of criticism—particularly on mainstream media and social media—for the deaths of 19 youths during the protests, has shown no signs of accepting responsibility. A senior UML leader who attended a recent party meeting said, “Even after such major changes in the political landscape, Oli has not acknowledged his mistakes.”

According to the leader, Oli dismissed the protests as being driven by foreign interference, claiming that “Nepali citizens would never engage in such violence.” He also reportedly told colleagues that his nationalist policies and efforts to strengthen ties with China made him a target of foreign conspiracies.

As Oli continues to deflect blame, he has made it clear he has no intention of resigning as party chair. Over the past week, he has repeatedly insisted that he never ordered the police to open fire on protestors. Oli has also labeled the current interim government “unconstitutional,” accusing it of coming to power through violence and destruction. In response, the government has imposed restrictions on his movement: he is barred from foreign travel and must seek permission from the probe committee to leave the Kathmandu Valley.

Despite growing internal criticism, Oli retains support within the UML. Of the party’s 18-member Secretariat, more than half still back his continued leadership. His loyalists argue that removing Oli now would further weaken the party, and blame second-rung leaders for the UML's current disarray. Nevertheless, some leaders are now openly challenging Oli’s authority. While Oli has signaled that any leadership transition will follow party procedure—beginning with a Central Committee meeting to discuss a general convention—calls for fresh leadership are growing.

Some voices within the party have even floated the idea of bringing back former president Bidya Devi Bhandari as a unifying leader. However, the party has already formally revoked her membership, complicating that possibility. As pressure mounts, the UML stands at a crossroads—torn between loyalty to a controversial leader and the growing demand for reform from both within and outside the party.

Nepalis across the country celebrated Maha Asthami, the eighth day of the ten-day-long Bada Dashain festival, by worshipping Goddess Durga Bhawani. With the nation immersed in festive celebrations, political activity has significantly slowed. According to Nepal Police, over 111,000 people have left the Kathmandu Valley in the past 24 hours to reunite with family and celebrate the festival.

Meanwhile, Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa, delivered a comprehensive address during the UN General Assembly’s high-level debate, calling for urgent international solidarity to address global crises. Thapa highlighted Nepal’s recent socio-political challenges and achievements, framing them within the broader need for strengthened multilateral cooperation.

Referring to the recent GenZ-led protests, Thapa emphasized the youth’s demand for transparent governance, equal opportunity, and an end to corruption. He acknowledged their aspirations for “a fair, just, and prosperous Nepal,” while also expressing concern over the violence that occurred during the demonstrations, which resulted in casualties and damage to public infrastructure.

In response to the changing political landscape, Ghanashyam Bhushal, General Secretary of the CPN (Unified Socialist), released a statement outlining key proposals: political parties should issue a white paper evaluating the post-constitution political developments, a high-level commission should be formed to investigate the properties of individuals in senior positions, undeclared wealth should be nationalized, communist parties should unify and take decisive action against corruption and employment generation must become a national priority.

Adding to the political tension, the Rastriya Yuba Sangh, a youth wing affiliated with a major political party, issued a statement condemning the government’s decision to bar party chairman KP Sharma Oli from traveling abroad. The organization also opposed the Nepal Police’s plan to arrest CPN-UML leader Mahesh Basnet in connection with a cyber-crime investigation.

Controversy has also emerged around Gauri Bahadur Karki, the chair of the investigation commission tasked with probing the Sept 8–9 GenZ protests. Karki has faced criticism over a series of posts he made on X (formerly Twitter) before assuming the role, in which he sharply criticized political leaders—raising concerns about impartiality.

In cultural news, Aryatara Shakya, a two-year-and-eight-month-old girl, has been selected as the new Kumari, or living goddess. She was ceremoniously carried from her home in a Kathmandu alley to the traditional temple palace, replacing the outgoing Kumari, who retires upon reaching puberty. In the tourism sector, flights between Ramechhap and Lukla have resumed, targeting tourists heading to the Everest Base Camp during the autumn trekking season. The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that operations have restarted to accommodate increased travel demand.