CPN-UML chairman and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli said on Friday that public and private properties were deliberately destroyed after he resigned from the office.

In his Constitution Day message shared on his social media platforms, Oli spoke for the first time since stepping down as prime minister on September 9.

He claimed the constitution was under attack and said, “After my resignation, Singha Durbar was set on fire, Nepal’s map was burned, and attempts were made to erase the nation’s identity. Institutions, courts, businesses, party offices, leaders’ houses and private properties were selectively reduced to ashes.”

He questioned whether the country was improving or being deliberately destabilised, saying that young people would judge this themselves.

On the Gen Z protests, he said even the organisers admitted infiltration took place. “Conspirators created violence, and our youths lost their lives. The government never ordered police to shoot at protesters. Investigations must determine who used automatic weapons that the police did not have,” he said, offering condolences to those killed and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Recalling the blockade and other challenges during the Constitution’s promulgation, Oli said Nepal’s charter was a roadmap written by Nepalis themselves. He urged all generations to unite to build the country.

Oli had a long and turbulent political career in Nepal, serving four separate terms in office. He first became prime minister in 2015, leading the country during the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.

He returned to power in 2018, serving until 2021, and briefly in 2021, before taking office again in July 2024 with support from the Nepali Congress. Throughout his tenure, Oli was known for his assertive style and nationalist policies, often drawing both strong support and criticism.

His latest term was marked by growing unrest and criticism over governance and corruption. Public frustration escalated into the Gen Z protests, which began as peaceful demonstrations demanding systemic reforms and an end to corruption. The situation intensified after police opened fire on demonstrators on September 8, killing at least 19 protesters and injuring more than 400, sparking nationwide outrage.

The two-day protests toppled the Oli-led government, forcing him to resign on September 9. The Congress-UML government was formed in July last year.