Mahesh Basnet Warns of Stronger Nationwide Protests by UML

Mahesh Basnet, Secretary of the CPN-UML, has warned that his party will intensify protests across the country.

Alleging police repression, Basnet said that if the situation continues, the party will escalate its protest .
“If this situation persists, protests scheduled tomorrow at 12 PM in district headquarters nationwide will become more intense and confrontational,” he stated. He also added that demonstrations at Maitighar Mandala will continue against what he called police suppression.

The protests began following the arrest of party chairman KP Sharma Oli, which the UML has described as “biased and politically motivated.”

Basnet demanded Oli’s immediate release, criticizing the government led by Balen Shah and Home Minister Sudan Gurung.
“The cost of prejudice and revenge is very high. Release KP Sharma Oli immediately,” he said, warning that the government’s “wrong decisions” had already started a countdown from the day it took office.

He further questioned whether the country was being pushed toward civil conflict, asking:
“Is the country being driven toward a model like Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Ukraine?”

Basnet also demanded treatment for the injured protesters and the immediate release of those arrested. He accused the government of hypocrisy, claiming that those who once criticized state repression are now using force against what he described as peaceful protests.