Overview

• At a Rastriya Yuwa Sangh event in Bhaktapur, the CPN-UML chief made his first public appearance since resigning on September 9 after youth-led unrest.
• He called the caretaker administration under Sushila Karki illegitimate, saying it was not formed through constitutional provisions and was “born of arson.”
• He asserted he never ordered police to open fire on protesters and urged a probe, alleging infiltration and the use of automatic weapons not issued to police.
• Security forces previously used water cannons, tear gas and live rounds as protesters breached parliament, with reports of shots from inside the building; the death toll is at least 74.
• With parliament dissolved and elections scheduled for March 5, 2026, the Home Ministry appealed for restraint and said preparations for the vote have begun.