Kathmandu, Nov 23: The Nepali Congress is focusing on elections while the UML stands alone, demanding the reinstatement of the House of Representatives.

Speaking at a rally in Bhrikuti Mandap, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli announced that the UML will continue its demonstrations until the House of Representatives is reinstated. “This is not the end, it is the beginning. This is not an electoral rally to seek votes,” Oli said. “The rally is to save the country, to defend democracy, to uphold the constitution, and to protect the rights of the people.”

Oli asserted that the House will be reinstated no matter what. “In the coming days, we will hold even larger and stronger rallies until the House of Representatives is restored,” he said. “This demand is not symbolic—it is a demand to be fulfilled.”

Oli emphasized that the UML, as the leading political force, would take the lead in pressing for the House’s reinstatement. He repeatedly urged other political parties to also stand in support of reinstatement. “The UML is at the forefront. I also want to request all political parties to present themselves in a way that justifies their political role,” he said. “Let’s reinstate the House, address the demands raised during the Gen Z movement, restore democracy, and put the constitution back on track.”

While Oli urged parties to publicly support reinstatement, the Nepali Congress Central Working Committee decided to participate in the upcoming elections. After a month-long meeting, the Congress finalized its decision to contest the polls.

Oli had hoped for the Congress's support, as during the Gen Z movement, the fall of his government had benefited from the Congress's backing. He sought their cooperation for the reinstatement agenda. In the dissolved House, the Congress Chief Whip Shyam Ghimire had even collected MPs’ signatures in support. The campaign aimed to encourage backing for signatures from UML MPs, but the Congress ultimately opted to go to the polls.

Other parties, including the Nepali Communist Party, had already decided to participate in the elections. This leaves the UML isolated as the sole party pushing for the House reinstatement rather than an election.

However, Oli urged parties not to be swept away by emotion in their decision to contest elections. “Do not get carried away by emotions. Parties should not indulge in temporary illusions,” he said. He also stressed the need for all parties to abandon biases. “I appeal to all political parties—let us leave behind all demands, prejudices, narrow-mindedness, and revenge,” Oli stated.

Oli also warned against following the unconstitutional government blindly. “Do not become a procession behind the unconstitutional government. What will such a procession gain? At best, they will get a meal before returning,” he said.

He called on civil society and the media for support and urged his party leaders and activists to actively engage with the public. “I appeal to the leaders and activists of the UML—at a time when the country faces unprecedented difficulties, a people’s party and patriotic party like the UML must act decisively, with the right ideas, and go out among the people,” Oli said.

People’s News Monitoring Service