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For more than a decade, Nepali politics has been defined by three dominant figures: KP Sharma Oli, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal. As party chiefs and multiple-time prime ministers, they have established themselves as indomitable forces. Among the three, it now seems almost certain that Oli and Dahal will retain control of their respective parties for at least the next five years—if not longer.

In the past two weeks, the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) held their Central Committee and Standing Committee meetings, respectively. The outcomes of these meetings will have far-reaching implications, particularly regarding leadership transitions. Both Oli and Dahal have further solidified their grip by weakening and isolating potential rivals. These developments starkly contrast with the widespread public desire, especially among the youth, for a generational change in leadership.

A significant section of Nepal’s youth continues to call for immediate leadership renewal. Many believe that since the same leaders have held sway over both party and government for more than three decades and failed to deliver, new leaders should be given a chance. Having become prime minister multiple times, these leaders have used the power and resources of the state to entrench their positions. Ministerial portfolios and key appointments were handed to loyalists, while dissenting voices were sidelined.

There have also been instances where state law enforcement agencies were allegedly used to harass internal party opponents. As a result, many young leaders have either aligned themselves with top leaders or remained silent, compromising the core values of intra-party democracy and leadership handover.

The internal dynamics of major parties tell a different story altogether. Youth leaders of NC, UML and Maoist Center—who once demanded a leadership transition—are now retreating from those positions. In recent Central and Standing Committee meetings, not only did they refrain from calling for change, but many also openly endorsed the current leadership.

The UML’s Central Committee meeting cleared the way for Oli to lead the party for a third consecutive term. The party decided to amend its statute, removing the 70-year age limit and the two-term cap tailored specifically to facilitate Oli’s continuation. But more than just a policy shift, both senior and youth leaders publicly declared that there is “no alternative” to Oli. Even former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s attempt to challenge Oli by reentering active politics was thwarted; the party revoked her general membership for doing so.

Oli is now virtually assured to be re-elected party chairman at the UML’s 11th General Convention, expected later this year. Party leaders argue that Oli's leadership is essential to securing victory in the 2027 elections. In reality, he may continue leading the party as long as his health allows. Since taking the helm in 2015, Oli has consolidated power, sidelined rivals, and built a loyal inner circle. Two pivotal moments helped him secure dominance: the departure of senior leaders like Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhala Nath Khanal, and the failed leadership challenge by Bhim Rawal, who was eventually expelled. That episode sent a clear message: challenging the leadership comes with consequences. More recently, Brinda Pandey and Usha Kiran Timalsina were suspended for six months for voicing dissent, reinforcing the party’s intolerance for internal opposition.

A similar scenario unfolded in the Maoist Center’s Standing Committee meeting. Senior leader Janardhan Sharma raised the issue of leadership change, only to be rebuked by nearly the entire committee. Out of 50 members, just three supported his proposal that Dahal, who has been at the helm since the 1980s, should begin transitioning party leadership to the next generation. Rather than supporting Sharma, other members criticized him. The party issued a warning that no leader should make public statements against its leadership. “There is a growing tendency to speak against party leadership and violate party discipline,” said Maoist leader Haribol Gajurel. 

The situation in the NC remains uncertain. Party President Deuba is unlikely to amend the party statute to pursue a third term. Leaders Shekhar Koirala and Gagan Thapa appear poised to contest the presidency. A third candidate from the Deuba camp may also run, while other senior leaders, who lack serious electoral prospects, may enter the race merely to secure bargaining positions in the party or government. Despite this, Deuba remains a strong presence, and the party's top leadership appears to be consolidating its hold.

Meanwhile, in the CPN (Unified Socialist), a breakaway faction of UML, Madhav Kumar Nepal maintains tight control despite facing corruption allegations. He has publicly warned senior leader Jhala Nath Khanal to leave the party for speaking against him. Despite mounting pressure, Nepal has refused to hand over the reins to a younger generation.

With these developments, the debate around leadership handover in major Nepali parties has significantly lost momentum. Over the years, these senior leaders, each of whom has held the prime ministership multiple times, have consistently used state resources to strengthen their internal party positions and marginalize opposition. With youth leaders increasingly dependent on the senior leadership for political opportunities and resources, they remain unable, or unwilling, to mount a meaningful challenge.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that geography must no longer determine destiny. 

"With strengthened partnerships, smart investments and unwavering collective will, we can overcome limitations of 'landlockedness' and ensure economic prosperity to our people," PM Oli said while addressing the UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Turkmenistan on Tuesday.

He informed that Nepal firmly believes that regional solidarity and global cooperation are vital to bridging the development divide. "We are confident that, with the continued support of our neighbours, India and China, and the broader international community, we can transform the barriers of 'landlockedness' into gateways of opportunity," PM Oli underscored. 

“As a committed member of the LLDC family, Nepal stands ready to work with all of you, not only as a beneficiary of change, but also as a partner in shaping it,” PM Oli said.

Togetherness for driving progress 

He called for togetherness to drive progress for a future interlocked by connectivity, powered by innovation and defined by resilience, inclusion and shared prosperity.

PM Oli, however, said the LLDCs continue to face persistent structural barriers: geographical isolation, dependency on transit countries, inadequate transport networks and limited integration into regional and global markets.

These challenges are even more acute for half of the LLDCs that are also LDCs. Their very geography of 'landlockedness' continues to hinder their development. He reminded that despite two decades of journey from Almaty to Vienna Program of Action, LLDCs still grapple with infrastructure and connectivity deficits, high trade and transit costs, limited diversification and little value addition, heavy reliance on primary commodity exports, low levels of private investment, and growing vulnerability to climate change and disasters. These barriers pose severe impediments to their economic growth and development, the PM argued.

LLDCs need unlocking potential

"LLDCs are not just defined by their inherent geographical constraints. They are also defined by their potential. These countries are rich in untapped natural endowments, offering many investment opportunities. They are home to youthful and innovative populations. They are increasingly engaging in the digital economy," he PM lauded, underlining the urgency to unlock such potential.

According to him, the Awaza Programme of Action offers a renewed opportunity to address these long-standing bottlenecks and seize new pathways toward inclusive and resilient growth. But we must be clear: ambition without action will not suffice, he exhorted, highlighting the need for stronger political will, renewed and strengthened global partnership that leaves no country behind, and coordinated actions at all levels. 

The Awaza PoA outlines five clear priorities under the theme of “Driving Progress through Partnership”: Structural transformation and STI; trade facilitation and regional integration; transit, transport and connectivity; climate resilience and adaptation; and means of implementation, the PM shared.

"With the right policies, strong solidarity and support, LLDCs can transition: from landlocked to land-linked, from transit-dependent to trade-competitive, and from climate-vulnerable to climate-resilient countries," PM Oli said.

In his opinion, science, technology and innovation, especially digital technologies, hold immense promise to overcome the physical limitations of LLDCs. This Conference is a call to collective resolve. It is a pathway to equity, inclusion and shared opportunity.

PM Oli underlined, "Invest in smart, sustainable, and climate-resilient infrastructure; deepen regional and subregional cooperation; harness the opportunities offered by technology to advance and accelerate development; and drive progress through inclusive global partnerships with shared responsibility."

He sought renewed commitment to convert the Awaza Programme of Action into tangible and measurable progress, for more than 570 million people who live in the LLDCs.

Awaza Programme of Action blueprint for decade

He shared that Nepal welcomed the Awaza Programme of Action as a visionary and actionable blueprint for the decade ahead. Its priorities strongly resonate with Nepal’s national goals, including our national aspiration of a “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.” 

Irrespective of being a landlocked LDC graduating next year, Nepal continues to face high transport costs, limited regional integration, and inadequate infrastructure, according to him.

Our vision is to transform Nepal from a landlocked country to a land-linked country.

The Head of the Government also informed about Nepal's investment priority like expanding highways and railways, cross-border trade routes, digital corridors, and green energy partnerships.

"We are working closely with our neighbours, India and China, to enhance connectivity and integration across multiple domains. We are also committed to aligning our efforts with regional and international initiatives to ensure that LLDC-specific vulnerabilities are addressed in broader development frameworks," he explained during the address.

Newly appointed Chief Minister of Bagmati Province Indra Bahadur Baniya has taken oath of office and secrecy today.

Province Chief Deepak Prasad Devkota administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chief Minister Baniya amidst a ceremony at the former's office, Hetauda on Tuesday afternoon. 

Province Chief Devkota administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chief Minister Baniya as per Article 168 (2) of the Constitution.

Baniya had claimed the Chief Minister's post before Province Chief Devkota on Monday along with signatures of 64 Province Assembly Members of the Nepali Congress and the CPN UML in his support.

It has been learnt that newly appointed Chief Minister Baniya is forming an eight-member Cabinet having six province members from UML and two from NC on Tuesday itself. 

The Special Committee formed by the Parliament to investigate errors in the Report on the Federal Civil Service Bill has submitted its report to the Speaker Devraj Ghimire today. 

Committee coordinator Jeevan Pariyar submitted the report to the Speaker at the Federal Parliament Building, New Baneshwor.

The committee finalized its report last night and had decided to submit it in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives. The committee held 37 meetings over 29 days to finalize the report.

The House of Representatives had formed a high-level special probe committee on July 6, after provisions related to the cooling-off period in the Bill came against that decision by the parliamentary committee that finalized the bill. 

The committee comprised Jeevan Pariyar (coordinator) and Sushila Thing from the Nepali Congress, Narayan Prasad Acharya and Ishwori Gharti from the CPN-UML, Madhav Sapkota from the CPN (Maoist Center), Ganesh Parajuli from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Roshan Karki from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party.