‘Oli’s ego has turned to ashes’: Nepal residents react after PM’s resignation amid protests
Nepal’s PM KP Sharma Oli Resigns Amid Massive Protests and Youth Uprising
In a dramatic turn of events, Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stepped down from his position, handing in his resignation to President Ram Chandra Poudel on Tuesday. The move comes after days of intense protests rocking the country, with angry crowds demanding an end to corruption and oppression. Oli, who took office on July 14, 2024, after a deal with the Nepali Congress party, cited the "abnormal situation" in his letter, following Article 77 (1) of the constitution to allow for a new way forward.
People across Nepal are sharing a whirlwind of feelings—from sheer relief to lingering fury—over Oli’s exit. Many see it as the only possible outcome after widespread civil unrest, especially from young protesters leading the charge. "This was expected," one Kathmandu resident told . "Prime Minister Oli had no choice but to resign. His government was corrupt and totally out of touch with what people really need."
The protests exploded following the tragic killing of 19 demonstrators on Monday, sparking outrage over police using guns against peaceful crowds. "It’s unacceptable that they fired on protesters," another local said. "What happened was wrong, but at least Oli has finally stepped down." Youth power has been at the heart of this movement, with students and teens calling out years of graft under Oli’s rule. "Corruption thrived during his time," a citizen pointed out. "The people of Nepal got nothing back. Kudos to the youth for taking action—it’s inspiring."
As the unrest grew, Nepal’s political scene crumbled fast. Over 42 cabinet ministers quit one by one, including key figures like Health Minister Pradip Poudel and Youth and Sports Minister Teju Lal Chaudhary, who expressed sorrow over the violence against Gen Z protesters. Even top leaders from the ruling Nepali Congress, like General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma, pushed Oli to resign, saying their seven-point agreement with his Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist–Leninist (CPN-UML) was now invalid.
The chaos spilled into the streets, with protesters storming key sites. On Tuesday, crowds broke into the parliament building in Kathmandu’s Baneshwor and set it ablaze—after failed attempts the day before that led to deadly clashes. They also targeted Singh Durbar, the government’s main hub, torching its main gate. Party offices of CPN-UML and Nepali Congress in the Kathmandu Valley got vandalized and burned, while similar attacks hit government buildings across the country. Viral videos showed protesters setting fire to Oli’s house in Balakot, Bhaktapur. One fired-up demonstrator declared, "We’ve burned the Parliament and homes of corrupt leaders. I want to torch every house of those who betrayed Nepal."
The fourth-largest party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, saw all its lawmakers resign in a bloc, calling for an interim government. Reports suggest Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah might step in as a temporary Prime Minister to steady the ship. But the future remains unclear—what’s next for Nepal politics after this massive shake-up?
Gen Z voices are ringing loud and clear, signaling a big shift. "Gen Z is awake 24/7," one resident said confidently. "The next government will be under their control. This is just the beginning." With a curfew in place and tensions high in Kathmandu despite the crackdown, Nepal’s youth-led protests against corruption, social media bans, and government failures have forced real change. As the country catches its breath, everyone wonders if this marks the dawn of a fairer era or more turmoil ahead.
