Kathmandu, Jan 6 : The distance to Singha Durbar from Baluwatar is just about four kilometers. Even though the nation has shifted toward federalism, Singhadbar’s burden has not been reduced as the administrative center.

Although the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has split into two factions, KP Sharma Oli is still the prime minister and the PM’s office is at Singha Durbar. Nowadays, all Singha Durbar’s work is being done from Baluwatar owing to Prime Minister Oli’s fragile health.

On March 13, Prime Minister Oli underwent his second kidney transplant. Prime Minister Oli has visited the office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar only three times in ten months since then.

“He has only been to the office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers three times since his second kidney transplant,” a source at Prime Minister’s Office told DC Nepal. He twice participated in video conferencing and attended a summary meeting and due to COVID-19, he doesn’t frequently visit the office.

But now the daily routine of Prime Minister Oli has changed. It has now become a regular practice for Prime Minister Oli  to participate in party programs, give lengthy speeches, and engage with crowds in Baluwatar.

Moreover, looking at the activities of the prime minister after December 20, it seems like the country is free of COVID-19 and he appears to be in good  health. Since the days following the dissolution of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Oli has been busy conducting public meetings on a regular basis or is found engaged in training cadres.

Prime Minister Oli did not leave his official residence as far as possible in Baluwatar before the dissolution of the House of Representatives. Doctors advised Prime Minister Oli not to visit crowded places and functions after a second kidney transplant. On March 25, Prime Minister Oli underwent his second kidney transplant. After that, a nationwide lockdown was announced on March 25.

Prime Minister Oli has recently addressed a large public gathering in Baluwatar, too. Prime Minister Oli subsequently attended two events in Karki Banquet and delivered a long speech.  It is said that there is no imminent intention to go to the Prime Minister’s Office, even though the Prime Minister have been attending events and giving speeches.

In order to retain agility and consistency at work, it is also important to go to the Prime Minister’s office on a regular basis, said Ex-Chief Secretary Dr. Bimal Koirala to DCnepal, “Since the Prime Minister does not go to the office daily, the ministers will also not go to the office. If the ministers follow his steps, the discipline will be broken,” he added.