KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has claimed that the government led by Balen Shah will not last for five years.

Addressing the UML’s Public Organisation Coordination Mechanism Workshop that began in Nagarkot, Bhaktapur, on Saturday, Oli accused the government of operating with foreign backing.

“I don’t care which power is backing these elements. We are not afraid of them, and we must not be afraid,” Oli said.

Oli claimed that the government had secured its majority through what he described as intimidation and manipulation. Despite having a majority, he said, the Balen-led government would not complete its five-year term.

“This majority was shown to have been secured through intimidation, threats, silencing people, doing whatever was necessary and even switching ballot boxes,” Oli said. “I am telling you, this government will not last five years under any circumstances.”

Oli also accused the government of violating the Constitution and said democracy must be restored.

“Democracy has been abducted and the Constitution has been violated. We have to restore the democracy that has been taken away,” he said.

He further claimed that the government and its supporters were creating an atmosphere of fear, particularly on social media, where people faced attacks for expressing their views.

“There is fear in everyone’s mind. Just post a status and see how much abuse you receive,” Oli said. “You cannot even post a truthful status or speak the truth without facing an immediate attack from mobs.”

Oli urged people not to be afraid of speaking the truth and called on his party members to speak in support of truth, the people and their livelihoods.

The workshop has been organised by the Bagmati Province Public Relations Coordination Mechanism of the UML. Leaders and cadres of the party’s Public Relations Coordination Mechanism are participating in the two-day event.