KATHMANDU: After days of confusion and questions from the public, Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Poudel has finally spoken. His statement came soon after his son, Chintan Poudel, spoke to The Statesman and said that the President was safe and holding key meetings.
In his message, President Poudel told citizens that he was working to find a way out of the current crisis.
“Dear Nepali brothers and sisters, I am making every effort to solve this difficult situation within the constitutional framework. My goal is to protect democracy and maintain peace and order in the country. I ask all sides to trust that solutions are being sought as quickly as possible, and I appeal for restraint so that peace can be restored,” he said.
The statement came at a time when people across Nepal were asking the pressing question: “Where is our President?” Their demand grew louder after Nepal Army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel addressed the nation earlier this week instead of the head of state.
Earlier today, Chintan Poudel explained, “He is safe and attending necessary meetings. He may join the Gen Z meeting soon, but I cannot confirm right now. The Army is coordinating this, and Rashtrapati Bhavan will give more updates.”
The political crisis has been fueled by the Gen Z movement, a youth-led campaign driven mainly by teenagers and young adults. After two days of violent protests that left at least 31 people dead and over 1,000 injured, the group paused its demonstrations on Wednesday. The violence and mass anger also forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign.
Agencies