KATHMANDU, KOMPAS.com - Nepal's Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, officially resigned on Tuesday (9/9/2025).

The decision came a day after one of the bloodiest demonstrations in recent years left at least 19 people dead.

In his resignation letter addressed to the President of Nepal, Oli wrote,"I have resigned from the post of prime minister effective today... in order to take further steps towards a political solution and resolution of the issue."

The move comes after his government faced a wave of massive protests demanding the lifting of the social media ban and the eradication of corruption.

Demonstration kills 19 people

AFP/PRABIN RANABHAT A fire broke out as demonstrators held a protest against a police crackdown on demonstrators in Kathmandu on Monday (September 9, 2025), a day after demonstrations against a government ban on social media and corruption. Nepal lifted its social media ban on September 9, a day after at least 19 people were killed in youth protests demanding the government lift restrictions and crack down on corruption. Protests continued on September 9, defying a curfew to vent anger over one of the deadliest crackdowns on demonstrators in years. Although all major social media apps were back online and the government appealed for calm. (Photo by Prabin RANABHAT / AFP)

The demonstrations that initially broke out last Monday ended tragically. Amnesty International reported that security forces used live ammunition to disperse the crowd.

At least 19 people were reported killed, making it one of Nepal's deadliest crackdowns in recent years.

Although the government eventually restored access to social media, demonstrations continued, fueled by public anger over rampant corruption and slow economic development.

Widespread public dissatisfaction

Oli, 73, just started his fourth term last year after his Communist Party formed a coalition with the Nepali Congress.

However, his popularity has plummeted amidst the political and economic instability that has gripped the country with a population of 30 million.

The unemployment rate reaching 10 percent and per capita income of only 1,447 US dollars (around Rp. 24 million) according to the World Bank has exacerbated public disappointment with the political elite who are considered far from the people's reality.

Since Nepal became a federal republic in 2008 after a decade of civil war and the abolition of the monarchy, the Himalayan nation has been plagued by a constant change of prime ministers.

Transactional political culture adds to the perception that the government no longer speaks to the people's interests.

In recent days, that disappointment has become increasingly evident on social media.

Videos on TikTok — which the government has not blocked — show the contrast between the hardships of ordinary people's lives and the lavish lifestyles of politicians' children who flaunt designer goods and expensive vacations.