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By Our Reporter

Ruling UML has the strongest party organisations in Nepal. It is evident from the general election results of 2022.  When almost all ruling parties had forged an election alliance with the Nepali Congress, UML managed to win the elections and emerged as the second-largest party winning 78 seats in the House of Representatives in total while NC won 89.

Now the strong party of Nepal has been spending its strength to fight an individual—medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai.  A year ago too, UML was in confrontation with Prasai and the UML organised a demonstration in Kathmandu to counter Prasai’s similar demonstrations. The two paraded in the streets of Kathmandu on the same day.

This year too when Prasai planned to demonstrate in Kathmandu on Friday last week, the UML also planned similar rally. However, as Prasai was held under cybercrime for accusing Prime Minister Oli of investing in Cambodia’s telecom, the demonstration took place in the absence of Prasai. A large crowd appeared at Koteshwor, which was addressed by senior advocate Balkrishna Neupane and other senior society leaders condemning the present political system and corrupt leaders.

The UML organised a mass meeting at Durbar Marg and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli addressed it. Although, it was said that one hundred thousand people would attend the UML awareness assembly, the present of people was very low.

Street demonstrations by a ruling party are rare in democracy, but UML has been organising such demonstrations when it is in power. The UML had organised a similar demonstration in April 2021 when Oli was leading the government. Then the Oli-led government organised the rally when all other parties and a faction within his party were staging protests demanding his oust from power. But this time, the party organised the rally and the PM himself addressed the mass meeting to counter Durga Prasai, who was then in police detention.

Because of the rallies and mass meetings of the PM’s party, the traffic system was disturbed for hours in Kathmandu. Officegoers, students, patients and others suffered most of the odd actions of the ruling UML.

Although the mass meeting was said to be organised by the party’s three district committees of the valley, UML cadres from as far as Ilam were present in the mass meeting of Durbar Marga. Although UML planned to bring 100,000 people to the demonstration, only 20,000 to 25,000 persons attended it.

Moreover, Kathmandu Metropolitan City imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000 to UML for littering Durbar Marga, the mass meeting venue.  The KMC sent a letter consisting of the imposed fine to the UML, but  the UML has reportedly denied accepting the letter.

Now it seems the UML that organised a mass meeting against Durga Prasai is likely to parade against KMC mayor Balendra  Shah in the near future.