Kathmandu — The CPN-UML has called an emergency Secretariat meeting after its chairman, K. P. Sharma Oli, was arrested on Saturday morning in connection with a case involving loss of life, as the party moves to determine its official position.
Oli was taken into custody from his residence earlier in the day, prompting immediate political response within the party. The Secretariat meeting has been scheduled for 8:30 am to discuss the situation and outline next steps.
Party Signals Protest Action
Party secretary Mahesh Basnet said the party will announce its official stance after the meeting and indicated that protest programs are being planned. He stated that the arrest of political leaders has raised concerns about the state of democracy and warned that such developments could impact political stability.
Arrest Background and Political Reaction
UML leaders have criticized the role of the Home Ministry under Sudhan Gurung, alleging political bias in the decision-making process. They also expressed concerns over the leadership of Balen Shah, questioning the government’s handling of the situation.
The arrests are based on recommendations from the Gauri Bahadur Karki Commission, which investigated incidents on Bhadra 23 and 24. The commission concluded that negligence by the then leadership contributed to the deaths reported during the protests.
Following the report, police detained Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and brought them to the Kathmandu District Police Office for further investigation. Tension briefly escalated at Oli’s residence during the arrest as party supporters attempted to obstruct police entry, leading to minor scuffles. Oli had called senior legal advisors prior to his detention, indicating preparations for legal proceedings.
The outcome of the UML meeting is expected to clarify the party’s protest plans and political strategy, as the developments continue to influence Nepal’s political environment.
