KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has come under fire for prioritizing meetings with social media influencers and rappers while the country faces an economic crisis and growing public discontent.

A recent video from the prime minister’s official residence, Baluwatar, showing a rapper performing praises for Oli has gone viral on social media. The lyrics, “Sukhi Nepali, Samriddha Nepal, Naya KP Oli Desh Nai Babal” (Happy Nepali, Prosperous Nepal, New KP Oli, the Nation is Thriving), have sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning the use of the leader’s time.

Critics argue that while citizens struggle with economic hardships, Oli’s secretariat has arranged meetings with TikTok influencers and performers instead of focusing on governance. Previously, Oli faced backlash for skipping a parliamentary session to meet TikTok personalities Miss Pabi and Anshu Verma.

The controversy intensified as reports emerged that Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang was denied a meeting with Oli despite waiting for hours at Singha Durbar to discuss his city’s water crisis.

Since his latest tenure as prime minister, Oli has frequently drawn criticism for his growing social media presence, with some accusing him of being more engaged in digital popularity than addressing pressing national issues.