A growing political debate over the KP Oli arrest intensified on Monday after a senior UML lawmaker called for the immediate release of former prime minister KP Sharma Oli.
The demand was raised during a meeting with Prime Minister Balen Shah at Singha Durbar, where UML lawmaker Rajendra Kumar Rai urged the government to reconsider the detention. Rai, elected from Dhankuta, said the arrest of the former prime minister and party chair has created serious political and legal concerns that require urgent attention.
The arrest stems from recommendations made by an investigation commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki. The panel had suggested legal action against Oli and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak over decisions taken during a past political movement while Oli was in office. The development has since increased tensions between the ruling leadership and opposition parties.
During the discussion, Rai also raised concerns about parliamentary privileges. He called for reinstating provisions that allow lawmakers to appoint personal secretaries, arguing that such support is essential for effective legislative work. The facility had been removed under a previous government decision, which lawmakers have continued to question.
Despite the concerns raised, Prime Minister Shah did not provide an immediate response during the meeting. His silence has added to speculation about the government’s position on both the legal proceedings involving Oli and broader institutional reforms.
The KP Oli arrest is expected to remain a key political issue in the coming days, with possible impacts on inter-party relations and parliamentary functioning as pressure continues to grow.
