During his nearly 17 minutes-long speech, after patting his own and his ministers’ backs for all the hard work they’ve done, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today not so subtly threatened to constrict the voices of press and freedom of expression on social media.

In an address to the nation on the occasion of May Day today, Oli listed out some simplest facts regarding the effects of coronavirus on the country’s economy, acknowledged the severe lack of employment opportunities in Nepal, and expressed his heartfelt sadness towards the poor. But, offered no way out.

Instead, after stirring up national politics with some dirty tricks in the midst of a global pandemic, the prime minister yet again sought comfort in censuring press and social media.

He blatantly blamed new reports and social media posts for “being against stability, sustainability, and development”, and warned against their “attempts at pushing the country towards instability”.