Katmandu: Tough-talking Nepali leader Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli spent decades in communist politics and served as prime minister four times before he was ousted in 2025 by deadly youth protests.
Less than six months since the September anti-corruption unrest, in which at least 77 people were killed, the 73-year-old is seeking his political comeback.
Oli, leader of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), hopes to regain control of parliament in the March 5 elections.
But he faces a direct challenge in his home constituency from 35-year-old rapper-turned-mayor Balendra Shah, who has cast himself as a symbol of youth-driven political change.
Campaigning begins Monday.
