Oli’s Priority: Congratulating TikTokers, Ignoring National Chaos

Chairman of the popular political party UML, KP Sharma Oli, recently congratulated the engagement between Nepali TikToker Ayush Singh Thakuri and Pakistani TikToker Alizeh Jamali on Facebook. Oli’s post has ignited criticism, with many accusing him of diverting attention away from pressing national issues.

Taking to social media on Saturday, Oli not only extended his congratulations but also admitted to following Ayush and Alizeh’s TikTok videos. In his Facebook post, Oli remarked that “love transcends the boundaries of caste, religion, and country,” implying that their engagement symbolizes unity and equality.

Oli wrote, “Ayush Singh Thakuri, a Nepali TikToker, and Alizeh Jamali, a Pakistani TikToker (I also watch their TikToks sometimes), got engaged in Dubai with their parents as witnesses according to their respective cultures. Love transcends the boundaries of caste, religion, and country. It teaches us to look for equality, not differences in caste, religion, sect. Congratulations to them.”

The engagement ceremony, held in Dubai, followed both Nepali and Pakistani cultural traditions and took place in front of their parents. Reportedly, the couple plans to tie the knot in two years’ time.

Some of the comments on Oli’s post were scathing. One commenter sarcastically remarked, “A goat in my house gave birth, also post that!!” while another wrote, “Come on Oli, let’s play Ludo; I am also free.” Some pointedly criticized Oli for seemingly prioritizing entertainment over pressing national concerns, with one commenter stating, “The country is in a bleak state, and you are watching TikTok, man.”

A particularly critical comment read, “Don’t you feel ashamed? There are so many inequalities and injustices in the country. What did you accomplish during your time as prime minister? Have you taken any steps to promote inter-caste marriage? Do you know how many inter-caste and inter-religious couples have faced hardship or even lost their lives?” One commenter simply labeled Oli as a “nonsense former PM.”

Critics argue that Oli’s attention-grabbing gesture on social media appears to be a strategic move to gain popularity and appeal to the youth, while diverting focus away from more pressing national concerns. As Nepal grapples with various challenges, including economic issues, political instability, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, some argue that Oli’s choice of priorities raises questions about his commitment to addressing the nation’s pressing problems.