Kathmandu, July 18, 2025: One year into Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s latest term, the political mood in Nepal is far from celebratory. Public disappointment is rising and political analysts are unanimous — Oli's administration has failed to deliver across most critical sectors, including governance, legislation, development, and foreign relations.

Despite grandiose promises and a strong electoral mandate, Oli’s government has struggled to enact policy, implement reforms, or even maintain stable diplomatic relations with key global players.

Governance Paralysis and Legislative Failures

Political observers describe the current administration as “distracted and disjointed,” with Parliament often caught in procedural deadlocks. Major bills related to federal restructuring, civil rights, and economic recovery remain in limbo, as Oli’s office focuses more on controlling internal dissent than legislative progress.

“There is no direction,” said Bhaskar Thapa, a political science professor in Kathmandu. “The Oli government came in with a strong hand but wasted the opportunity by prioritising party politics over national issues.”

Even basic governance, such as public service delivery, disaster preparedness, and budget execution, is plagued by delays and lack of coordination.

Development Promises Broken

During his campaign and swearing-in last year, PM Oli had promised massive infrastructure development, employment generation, and revitalisation of the tourism sector post-COVID. A year later, few of those projects have moved beyond the planning stage.

• The East-West Railway and National Highway upgrades have stalled.

• Youth employment schemes have delivered little measurable impact.

• Nepal’s tourism sector continues to struggle amid lack of clear strategy and funding.

“There’s talk of vision, but no execution,” said economist Aruna Pradhan. “The government seems caught in a cycle of announcements and backtracking.”

Foreign Policy Misfires

In the diplomatic arena, Oli’s record is equally concerning. Relations with India remain lukewarm, with unresolved border disputes and limited progress on trade negotiations. Meanwhile, engagement with China has cooled, largely due to a lack of follow-through on previous Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) commitments.

Nepal’s position in regional forums like SAARC and BIMSTEC remains passive. The country has failed to assert any meaningful diplomatic presence or leadership in South Asia, observers say.

“The foreign policy lacks consistency and direction,” said former ambassador Ramesh Yadav. “We are reacting, not leading.”

Public Sentiment: From Hope to Frustration

A recent nationwide opinion survey by the Centre for Policy Research Nepal (CPRN) found that over 63% of citizens were dissatisfied with the Oli government’s performance. Many cited increasing inflation, youth migration, and lack of public accountability as top concerns.

In urban areas like Kathmandu and Pokhara, disillusionment is growing among young voters who had once seen Oli as a pragmatic leader with the potential to modernise Nepal.

“We feel betrayed,” said 28-year-old Priya Shrestha, an engineer. “The country is just standing still.”

Oli’s Strategy: Blame and Deflection

Facing criticism, PM Oli has continued to resort to nationalistic rhetoric and accusations of foreign meddling. In recent months, he has repeatedly accused opposition parties and unnamed international forces of attempting to destabilise Nepal.

This approach has further polarised the political climate and alienated civil society groups that were once sympathetic to Oli’s vision of a self-reliant, unified Nepal.

“There’s no introspection, only blame-shifting,” said journalist Deepak Acharya.

Opposition Gains Momentum

The main opposition parties, including the Nepali Congress and the Unified Socialist, have capitalised on the Oli administration’s failings. They have organised multiple protest rallies and have stepped up efforts to push for midterm elections or a no-confidence motion.

Though no immediate political shift is expected, analysts warn that Oli’s inability to course-correct could open the door for coalition reshuffling or renewed public agitation in the coming months.

A Missed Opportunity

The past year offered Nepal a chance to recover from the pandemic, refocus its economy, and reassert its geopolitical importance. Instead, many feel that opportunity has been squandered.

Nepal continues to struggle with economic stagnation, brain drain, and deteriorating infrastructure, while its political leadership remains locked in internal party squabbles and outdated rhetoric.

Conclusion: Time Running Out

With just under four years left in his term, PM Oli still has time to reverse course. But that would require a shift from speechmaking to policymaking, from centralised control to collaborative governance, and from nationalism to pragmatism.

Otherwise, Oli risks becoming yet another symbol of unfulfilled political potential in Nepal’s democratic journey — remembered more for his speeches than his service.

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