Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli had little choice than to step down after widening public protests which have had no signs of abating.
Sharma took his fourth term in office in July 2024, with the backing of the Nepali Congress Party.
The headquarters of the Nepali Congress and the houses of its leader have been vandalised as protesters defied an indefinite curfew in Kathmandu and beyond.
Many Nepalese are still in shock over how 19 people were killed in the protests against corruption and a social media ban on Monday.
The unrest is the worst in decades for the Himalayan nation.
Though the protests were triggered by the social media ban, there has been widespread frustration with the government over the perceived lack of action to tackle corruption.
Protesters are calling for accountability and reforms in governance.
There have been reports of protesters entering Singha Durbar and the Parliament building complex as of Tuesday afternoon.
Videos have been posted on social media showing the arson and vandalism of resigned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s house in Balakot, Bhaktapur.
Various media outlets have also provided details of the arson.
Similarly, there have been reports of protesters vandalising the residence of Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in Budhanilkantha.
NP Saud, a Congress leader and former minister close to Deuba, told journalists that he was aware that Deuba’s residence had been vandalised and that efforts were being made to control the situation there.
Deuba’s residence in Dhangadhi has also been targeted by protesters.
Agni Prasad Sapkota, spokesperson for the Maoist Center, said that he has received information that protesters are continuously throwing petrol bombs at the Khumaltar residence of Maoist Center Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Earlier, there were reports of vandalism at the residences of Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and Energy Minister Deepak Khadka.
Protesters react to PM Oli’s resignation
Photos from the streets of Kathmandu show protesters feeling triumphant after the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Oli announced his resignation on Tuesday afternoon local time as anti-government protests grew in size and ferocity across Nepal.
