Banking News – CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has claimed that Nepal’s democratic system has been “hijacked,” arguing that the country now needs to restore democracy rather than merely strengthen it.

Speaking at a lecture program titled “The Role and Responsibility of Constitution-Drafting Major Political Parties in Protecting the Constitution and Strengthening Democracy,” organized by the CPN-UML Capital Province Committee on the occasion of the 48th Memorial Day of Nepal Communist Party (NCP) founding General Secretary Pushpalal, Oli made the remarks while expressing concern over the current state of democracy in the country.

He said that democracy cannot be measured solely by the conduct of elections, emphasizing that the circumstances, purpose, and environment in which elections are held are equally important.

“The democracy achieved through Nepal’s long and sacrifice-filled struggle has been hijacked. Today, the situation demands not merely the strengthening of democracy, but its restoration,” Oli said.

Oli further stated that while holding elections is an essential element of democracy, the true nature and purpose of the electoral process determine the quality of democratic governance. He noted that several countries conduct elections but cannot necessarily be regarded as democratic.

The former prime minister also criticized the violence, destruction, and loss of life and property that occurred on Bhadra 23 and 24, describing the incidents as unprecedented in Nepal’s history. According to him, such an atmosphere of fear and terror had not been witnessed even during the Rana regime, the Panchayat era, or the 2006 People’s Movement.

Addressing the memorial event, Oli stressed that the major political parties involved in drafting Nepal’s Constitution must shoulder greater responsibility to safeguard the Constitution, protect democratic achievements, and preserve the country’s political gains.