Big-mouth Oli

Rather than badmouth critics, he would be better served by a focus on governance and service delivery.

During the federal parliament’s rather raucous session on Sunday, some opposition lawmakers brought up the issue of the pro-monarchy protests and the government’s reaction to them. One interesting point they raised was that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oil was being increasingly ‘uncivil’ in dealing with his critics. They have a point. Whenever PM Oli addresses any criticism levelled against him or his government, rather than directly address the concern, he tends to question the credentials of the critics to question him or, worse, to mock them. The prime minister does not seem to realise that the way he dismisses criticism out of hand, or tries to sidestep vital questions by digging into his rich arsenal of aphorisms, is not going down well with the people. The government’s failure to address vital public concerns makes matters worse. Where once youngsters used to shout, “We love you, KP ba!”, many now urge him to leave the country. Oli's attempt to cover up the failings of his government with elaborate words is backfiring, big-time. Yet the prime minister and his hangers-on seem to be blissfully unaware of rising public anger against the coalition government—and of the old leaders who have monopolised power for generations.