Prachanda warns Deuba against making statements contrary to the constitution

Kathmandu, August 18, 2026 — Nepali Communist Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has warned former prime minister and Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba against making statements or taking positions that contradict Nepal’s Constitution.

Speaking at the unification meeting of the party’s Bagmati Province Committee on Tuesday, Prachanda criticised Deuba’s recent declaration that he is a Hindu and objected to decisions adopted at a gathering of the faction opposed to the Nepali Congress mainstream.

According to party leader Himal Sharma, Prachanda also referred to the five-point decisions adopted by the gathering and warned against actions and statements that could go against the constitutional framework.

“If you go right or left of the constitution, you will perish yourself and the country will fall into a disaster. Do not make decisions and statements contrary to the constitution you made yourself,” Sharma quoted Prachanda as saying.

Deuba, who is also a former president of the Nepali Congress, made the statement about his religious identity while concluding the gathering on Sunday. The gathering had adopted decisions supporting Hinduism, bringing the issue into renewed debate within the Nepali Congress.

Prachanda also sharply criticised the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, accusing it of moving against the constitution, democracy and the existing political system.

He alleged that disorder and corruption had increased since the government took office and accused the authorities of suppressing the media.

“After the RSP government was formed, disorder increased a lot, we gave more privilege than necessary. Corruption increased, the media was silenced,” Prachanda said.

He called on party workers to prepare for street protests, saying the party would soon call for demonstrations.

“We have to speak against this now, otherwise, the republic itself could be attacked. We will soon call for a protest, and everyone’s cooperation is needed. You all be ready,” he said.