KATHMANDU – Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday after violent anti-corruption demonstrations swept the country, leaving at least 19 people dead in the worst unrest in decades. His abrupt departure marks another dramatic turn in a tumultuous career that has shaped Nepal’s politics since the fall of the monarchy in 2008.
Oli, 73, who was sworn in for a fourth term last year, had vowed to bring stability, jobs, and an end to corruption. Instead, his government collapsed under a wave of public anger, fueled by allegations of authoritarianism, censorship, and entrenched graft. The protests erupted after authorities blocked social media platforms, sparking nationwide demonstrations led by young activists demanding accountability.
On Monday, protests descended into chaos as security forces used live ammunition, triggering widespread condemnation. Crowds later stormed and torched Oli’s private residence, ransacking the compound while police stood by, overwhelmed.
Born in eastern Nepal in 1952, Oli rose from a revolutionary youth imprisoned for 14 years to a central figure in national politics. He founded the powerful Communist Party of Nepal (UML), served as interior and foreign minister, and held the premiership four times. His tenure included forging stronger ties with China, pushing back against Indian influence, and redrawing Nepal’s map to claim disputed territories, decisions that inflamed nationalist sentiment but strained regional relations.
One of Nepal’s most polarizing leaders, Oli’s fall reflects broader frustrations in the Himalayan nation, where corruption, instability, and economic decline have left millions seeking work abroad. Regional powers India and China are closely watching the aftermath of his resignation as Nepal faces a new period of uncertainty.