On December 5, 2025, a significant moment unfolded in Kathmandu as Nepal’s political heavyweights, KP Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba, met face-to-face for the first time since the turbulent Gen-Z uprising in September. The uprising, a youth-led protest that sent shockwaves through the nation, had toppled the coalition government previously led by Oli, leaving Nepal’s political landscape in flux and its leaders searching for common ground. The meeting, held at Deuba’s temporary residence in the capital, was as much about healing old wounds as it was about charting a path forward for a country still reeling from recent unrest.
According to ANI, the afternoon gathering was anything but ordinary. Oli, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal, Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), arrived accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya. Deuba, the leader of the Nepali Congress and himself a former prime minister, was joined by his wife, former first lady Arzu Rana Deuba. Adding to the gravity of the occasion, Acting Nepali Congress President Purna Bahadur Khadka was already engaged in discussions with party leaders when Oli arrived. The presence of these political figures underscored the meeting’s importance and the high stakes for Nepal’s future.
The timing of this encounter was no coincidence. It came on the heels of months of political turbulence triggered by the Gen-Z movement, which erupted on September 8 and 9, 2025. The protests, fueled by widespread frustration among Nepal’s youth, resulted in a serious attack on Deuba and ultimately led to the collapse of Oli’s government. Ever since, the two leaders had not met—a gap that many observers saw as symbolic of the deep divisions within Nepal’s political elite.
Photos released by Oli’s secretariat captured the moment: two rivals, once separated by bitter political rivalry and recent events, sitting together in Maharajgunj and engaging in direct dialogue. Yet, despite the heavy political overtones, sources close to Oli insisted that his primary motivation for visiting was to inquire about Deuba’s health following the attack during the protests. “There had been no meeting after the political shifts triggered by the movement. Our Chairman went to ask about Deuba’s condition,” a UML leader told ANI. But as with most things in politics, personal gestures and public business are often intertwined.
The meeting was not merely a courtesy call. According to multiple reports, including The Tribune, the two former prime ministers took the opportunity to discuss the upcoming election for the House of Representatives, which has been scheduled for March 5, 2026. This election looms large over the political calendar, offering a chance for both parties to redefine their roles and potentially restore stability after months of upheaval.
The conversation, however, was not limited to electoral strategy. Oli, who has been one of the most vocal critics of the recent dissolution of parliament, reiterated his party’s stance. The CPN-UML, under his leadership, has demanded the reinstatement of parliament and has even lodged a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the dissolution. This legal battle has added another layer of complexity to Nepal’s political crisis, with both parties seeking to forge a common understanding amid ongoing uncertainty.
“A meeting was held between leaders, including Chairman Oli and Chairman Deuba, in Maharajgunj. The two leaders also discussed the election for the House of Representatives announced for March 5, 2026,” a source confirmed to ANI. The statement highlights the dual nature of the talks: while personal health and well-being were on the agenda, so too were the pressing matters of governance and the rule of law.
For many in Nepal, the Gen-Z uprising was a wake-up call. The youth-driven movement exposed deep-seated frustrations with the political establishment, particularly around issues of corruption, unemployment, and a perceived lack of opportunity. The protests not only led to the toppling of Oli’s government but also left Deuba vulnerable—both physically, due to the attack, and politically, as his own party grappled with internal divisions. The aftermath has seen leaders from both camps attempting to recalibrate their strategies and, at least on the surface, extend olive branches to one another.
The legal battle over the dissolution of parliament remains a focal point. Oli’s CPN-UML has been steadfast in its opposition, arguing that the dissolution undermines democratic norms and threatens the stability of Nepal’s political system. Deuba’s party, meanwhile, has found itself caught between supporting constitutional processes and responding to public discontent. As both sides await the Supreme Court’s decision, their leaders are under increasing pressure to demonstrate unity and a willingness to compromise—even if, behind closed doors, old rivalries persist.
Observers have noted that the presence of Radhika Shakya and Arzu Rana Deuba at the meeting added a personal touch to what might otherwise have been a purely political event. The inclusion of spouses, often seen as symbolic in South Asian political culture, suggested a desire to project civility and perhaps even reconciliation after months of acrimony. Still, the underlying tensions were never far from the surface.
Acting Nepali Congress President Purna Bahadur Khadka’s involvement further signaled that party leadership on both sides recognized the need for broader engagement. With the March 2026 elections on the horizon and the future of parliament hanging in the balance, party leaders are keenly aware that the stakes could not be higher. As one source put it, “After their meeting, the current political situation will be reviewed.”
Throughout Nepal’s recent history, moments of crisis have often given rise to unexpected alliances and shifting loyalties. The December 5 meeting between Oli and Deuba, while not yet a turning point, may well be remembered as an early step toward a more stable and cooperative political environment. Whether this spirit of dialogue will endure in the face of electoral competition and legal wrangling remains to be seen.
For now, the country watches and waits. The Gen-Z uprising may have faded from the headlines, but its impact lingers, shaping the actions and calculations of Nepal’s most powerful leaders. As the countdown to the 2026 elections begins, the ability of Oli and Deuba to bridge their differences—and perhaps even find common cause—could determine the trajectory of Nepalese democracy for years to come.
In the end, one meeting may not resolve all of Nepal’s political challenges, but it is a start. For a nation eager for stability and progress, that counts for something.
