Congress, UML leave House reinstatement option open
The reluctance of the erstwhile coalition partners casts doubt over the success of the March 5 elections.
POST FILE PHOTO
POST REPORT
Published at : October 11, 2025
Updated at : October 11, 2025 07:09
Kathmandu
The reluctance of two of the three major parties to go to the polls has cast doubt over the success of the March 5 elections.
A day after CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli’s provocative statement not to accept the incumbent government and push for the reinstatement of the dissolved House of Representatives, the Nepali Congress has also decided to keep the reinstatement option open.
Most of the leaders in the meeting of the party’s incumbent and former office bearers argued that the Congress should take the agenda of House reinstatement together with participating in the elections.
Talking to media after the meeting, party spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat said that the option for reinstating the lower house should also be kept open as it is unsure whether the Sushila Karki government can hold the elections.
“The country would be pushed to uncertainty if the elections are not held. The door to reinstate Parliament, therefore, needs to be kept open,” he said. Putting forth their views in the meeting, Congress leaders including Shashank Koirala, Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Prakash Man Singh said they are not confident that the Sushila Karki-led interim government will hold the elections.
Reinstatement of the dissolved House is the only option left in that case, they said.
On September 12, President Ramchandra Paudel, on Karki’s recommendation, dissolved the lower house and announced the mid-term elections. Dissolution of the house was the major demand of the Gen Z representatives, whose movement on September 8 and 9 toppled the Oli-led coalition government.
Less than five months to go for the March 5 snap polls, the two largest parties—the Congress and the UML—are dragging their feet.
With an aim to hold the polls in a single phase, the Election Commission has come up with a detailed plan. It has announced all the dates except for candidacy nomination for the first-past-the-post polls and the enforcement of the election code of conduct.
“The commission strongly believes that all the parties will participate in the elections and contribute to its success,” said Ram Prasad Bhandari, acting chief election commissioner, adding the poll body will move ahead in close coordination and consultation with the parties.
Out of the 122 registered parties, the commission has invited 29, who have at least one elected representative from the previous general election, for the discussions on Thursday.
Even as the commission sounds optimistic, days ahead don’t look easy in bringing all the political parties to board.
“The current government is not on the path to conducting elections. It is rather pushing the country towards unnecessary bitterness, tension and confrontation,” said UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali. He said the move of the Karki government to release those who brutally kill police officers and loot weapons but obstructing the peaceful assembly shows its intention.
The Oli-led party is furious after the government stopped its youth wing from holding motorcycle rallies on Saturday.
The Kathmandu District Administration Office, issuing a notice on Friday, prohibited all forms of demonstrations, assemblies, and motorcycle rallies planned for Saturday, citing potential threats to peace and security.
Unlike the Congress and the UML, the Maoist Centre, however, has come clearly in support of the new election. Addressing an interaction on Friday, party chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal said as the election dates have already been announced in the changed context, there is no alternative to participating in the March 5 elections.
“We will participate in the elections and also work to make it successful,” he said, adding that it is the responsibility of all the parties to work to bring the derailed politics back on track through the elections.
“We should not hesitate to correct our weaknesses. We need to go to the people acknowledging our mistakes,” Dahal said. “This is not the time for exhibiting arrogance and ego. The nation is at a critical juncture, the parties need to handle it cautiously.”
He also advocated a revision to the constitution arguing that it has not functioned effectively.
“Participating in the elections is the first step and amending the constitution second. However, it should be done with broad consensus.”
Gen Zs not forming party, seek justice for martyrs
BY A STAFF REPORTER, Kathmandu, Oct. 11: A month has passed since the day that changed the course of the nation’s political history in an unprecedentedly short time. The Gen Z movement of September 8 and 9 led to the fall of the KP Oli-led government, followed by the dissolution of the House of Representatives.
The Gen Z uprising aimed to end corruption in the country and create opportunities for citizens within the country. According to Gen Z voices, they had had enough and were seeking a brighter future with job opportunities. They expressed frustration over the entrenched corruption in the political system and the repeated leadership of the same politicians, accusing them of treating governance like a game of ‘passing the ball.’ They demanded clean, accountable leaders to govern the nation.
Following the protest, the country got its first lady prime minister. Sushila Karki, who also served as the first female Chief Justice, became the interim Prime Minister on September 12 and formed a new Council of Ministers with new leaders, but did not have any Gen Z individuals. Soon after, the Prime Minister announced that the next election would be held on March 5, 2026.
On the other hand, the Election Commission intensified its efforts for a fair and transparent election. Earlier, while talking to The Rising Nepal, Acting Chief Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari informed that currently there were 122 registered political parties, and any new political party wishing to participate must complete their registration and obtain a certificate before October 16, as only registered parties will be eligible to take part in the March 5 elections.
However, Gen Z leaders have shown little interest in forming a party or contesting the election. Speaking to The Rising Nepal, a Gen Z leader, Rakhya Bam, said that due to time constraints, they had made no preparations to nominate candidates, but discussions were ongoing regarding exercising their voting rights.
“Today’s youth are aware of the country’s political situation and their power as citizens. We will definitely vote for the right candidates,” she said.
When asked whether they would accept the return of past political leaders if they won the election, Bam said they would do their best to prevent them from contesting. “But if they do contest and win, we will respect the outcome as part of the democratic process,” she added. “What we want are uncorrupted leaders who can truly lead the country.”
Bam further stated that following the formation of the interim government, a Judicial Inquiry Commission had been established to investigate the incidents that occurred during the Gen Z movement. She emphasised that the commission must carry out a fair and transparent investigation and publish its report without delay.
Meanwhile, despite several attempts, The Rising Nepal was unable to reach other Gen Z leaders, including Sudan Gurung, for comments.
The Gen Z uprising not only reshaped the country’s political landscape but also came at a tragic cost. During the protests, 72 individuals lost their lives. Among them was 38-year-old Sauran Kishor Shrestha, who was shot in the chest while standing in front of the Parliament building on September 8.
His brother, Shaishab Kishor Shrestha, said that Sauran was first rushed to the Civil Hospital, but due to a lack of proper equipment and facilities, he was referred to the Trauma Centre at Kathmandu Medical College in an unconscious state. “He received initial treatment there, but it’s unclear whether he took his last breath on the way or at the hospital. He couldn’t survive his injuries,” he said.
Sauran had previously worked in South Korea for five years and returned to Nepal with savings, hoping to build a life at home. Disheartened by the lack of opportunities, he joined the protest in hopes of changing the country’s future. Shaishab stressed that the current government was formed through the sacrifices of martyrs like his brother. “If they truly value the blood of those martyrs, they must find those responsible for shooting and killing innocent protesters and bring them to justice,” he said.
He added, “Those who shot innocent youths in the head and chest, causing instant death, must be arrested. The government formed out of the Gen Z movement has established a Judicial Inquiry Commission, it must now act decisively to identify the culprits and deliver justice to the martyrs.”
Ilam grapples with impact of floods and landslides
By Prem Adhikari, Ilam, Oct. 11: Following the devastating floods and landslides that struck on the night of October 4, 2025, rescue, relief and reconstruction efforts have begun across Ilam district.
Local governments and concerned authorities have been actively involved in these operations in the areas most affected by the disaster.
The floods and landslides, which claimed 39 lives, caused severe damage to major roads, including the Mechi Highway, as well as other local roads connecting various municipalities.
According to Chief District Officer (CDO) Sunita Nepal, work is underway at full pace to reopen the Mechi Highway and local roads. The Road Division Office is handling the restoration of the Mechi Highway, while the respective local governments are repairing the municipal-level roads.
After days of hardship, daily life in Ilam is gradually returning to normal. Under the coordination of the District Administration Office, all municipalities, the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police have been mobilised in the affected areas. Various organisations and institutions have also joined in to support the response efforts.
The District Administration Office has urged that all relief distribution be carried out through a one-door system. Organisations and individuals providing aid have been requested to coordinate with the respective municipalities before distributing relief materials to the affected families.
Representatives from several organisations have started visiting the homes of flood and landslide victims to deliver relief materials. The Koshi Province government has also been sending relief supplies to the district, including blankets, mattresses, pillows, rice, oil, salt, turmeric, and potatoes, which are being distributed at the municipal level, according to the District Administration Office.
Municipalities have classified the affected families and are distributing immediate relief door to door.
Kedar Thapa, Mayor of Ilam Municipality, said that only after arranging food and shelter for the displaced families can long-term recovery plans be implemented. Municipalities have announced that they will provide Rs. 200,000 in relief to the families of those who lost their lives in the disaster.
Suryodaya Municipality has already provided the announced relief amount to the families of the deceased. Mayor Ran Bahadur Rai said that work in the most severely affected areas has begun in the first phase. Other municipalities are also in the process of distributing relief funds. Additionally, the Koshi Province government has announced Rs. 100,000 in relief per deceased family.
Displaced families are currently taking shelter in nearby schools or with neighbours.
According to Krishna Paudel, President of the Ilam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, there is currently no shortage of food grains or LPG gas in the district. He assured that even if shortages arise, essential goods will be transported up to Maikhola and carried manually if needed, to ensure the supply of food and other necessities.
Assistant Chief District Officer Bhola Nath Guragai informed that diesel and petrol stocks are sufficient until Saturday. Similarly, the District Health Office has reported that medicines are still available across the district.
Chief of the Ilam Health Office, Aditya Shakya, said that the office has been sending medicines requested by the municipalities. However, he warned that water contamination and damaged sources have increased the risk of disease outbreaks.
Due to landslides damaging the water pipelines, drinking water shortages have become severe in Suryodaya and Ilam municipalities. Around 108 houses are fully destroyed in various municipalities.
Challenges on the Mechi Highway
The Mechi Highway, which has long been a lifeline for the people of Ilam, was not spared this time. Landslides damaged sections of the road, preventing vehicle movement from Mechi to Ilam and onward to Panchthar and Taplejung. Pawan Bhattarai, Chief of the Ilam Division Road Office, said that work was underway to restore three major sections of the highway with the goal of resuming traffic operations by Friday.
Geotechnical expert Dr. Madhusudan Acharya is also studying the road to assess structural stability. Bhattarai said that in the Rajduwali section, only temporary road access is possible, and a long-term solution will require more extensive work.
He added that there is no alternative route to operate both small vehicles and larger supply trucks to Ilam headquarters. The office estimated that landslides alone caused over Rs. 3 billion in damage to the Mechi Highway, with the entire Mechi Corridor roads suffering more than Rs. 500 million in losses.
Reopening rural roads
Landslides disrupted road connections between local municipalities. Many roads linking Ilam headquarters and surrounding municipalities were completely blocked. Municipal efforts to reopen these roads are now in the final stages.
The blockages had also prevented the transport of essential supplies. Roads connecting Sandakpur, Maijogmai, Faksipokthum, Mangsibung, Ilam Municipality, and Deumai Municipality were severed. Tularam Gurung, Chair of Sandakpur Rural Municipality, reported that the Deurali-Ilam Road has now been reopened through continuous repair efforts.
Deumai Municipality has repaired the Shandida-Ilam Road and the Gagrebhanjyang-Belase road, restoring traffic flow. Maijogmai Rural Municipality has also repaired its main road to Ilam headquarters.
Similarly, Suryodaya Municipality repaired the road from Fikkal to Maijogmai and the Mayu River bridge, reopening access, according to Rajkumar Limbu, Coordinator of the Environment and Disaster Management Branch.
Deputy Chair Praveena Rai of Maijogmai Rural Municipality said that although municipal roads to the centre are operational, limited resources mean rural road access will take more time to restore.
Bridges connecting Mangsibud and Phaksipokthum Rural Municipalities were destroyed, leaving these areas inaccessible. Suryodaya Municipality has restored roads in all 14 wards, with support from the Nepali Army and Armed Police Force.
Continuous rainfall damaged two permanent bridges, five motorable bridges and one suspension bridge in Ilam. The flood destroyed a permanent bridge over the Mai River connecting Ilam Municipality-11 (Soyak) and Mai Municipality-9 (Chisopani) along the Mechi Corridor (Kechana-Kanchenjunga Road).
Prabidhi Yadav, Chief of the Ilam Electricity Authority, has deployed 20 to 25 teams in the field to restore power across the district. By Friday, electricity had been restored to most areas in all 10 municipalities, though some issues remain.
Yadav reported that floods and landslides damaged 213 poles of 11,000-volt lines and five transformers, causing losses exceeding Rs. 200 million so far.
Temporary shelter construction
In Ilam Municipality-10 (Godak, Tapu area), temporary shelters are being built for approximately 43 displaced families. The Risk Shelter Nakm organisation, in coordination with the ward office and the Nepali Army, has begun construction of temporary housing. Emergency shelters have already been handed over to affected families.
Pralad Ghale, Chief of the Ran Shardul Battalion, stated that temporary shelters are being built in Tapu and will also be constructed in Walan Gaun, Pyang, Sandakpur, and other areas.
Local municipalities and organisations are also contributing to building shelters, and local youth are volunteering to help reconstruct damaged structures across the district.
Death toll rises to 39 in Ilam floods and landslides
Panchthar — Laxmi Gautam
The death toll from the floods and landslides that struck Ilam on Saturday has risen to 39, after the body of 24-year-old Prabesh Gurung of Sandakpur Rural Municipality-5 was recovered on Tuesday.
According to Superintendent of Police Ek Narayan Koirala of the District Police Office, Ilam, Gurung had been missing since Saturday.
His body was found 400 metres downstream from the spot swept by the river.
On Saturday alone, 37 people were killed in landslides in Ilam. Subsequently, a body from Ilam Municipality-10 was found in Jhapa on Monday. Mahendra Limbu of Ilam Municipality-6 remains missing.
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- What should political parties prioritise now to restore stability?
- How can Gen‑Z demands for accountability be translated into policy?
- What immediate steps should provincial and federal authorities take to speed Ilam’s recovery?
- How can elections be safeguarded to reflect the will expressed during the September protests?
- What long‑term reforms are needed to prevent similar disasters and political upheavals?