CPN-UML Faces Internal Strife Over Provincial Government Leadership

Kathmandu. Following the agreement between CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and CPN (Maoist Centre) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on July 24 to form provincial alliances, internal turmoil has erupted within the UML. The understanding between Oli and Prachanda was that the UML would lead governments in three out of five provinces, and the Maoist Centre in two. However, disagreements within the UML regarding the implementation of this agreement have escalated the conflict.

According to the Oli-Prachanda agreement, the UML will lead the governments in Koshi, Bagmati, and Lumbini provinces. Currently, the UML leads the governments in Koshi and Lumbini. In Koshi, Hikmat Kumar Karki, who is also a UML secretary, is the Chief Minister. However, Chairman Oli's insistence on removing Karki and appointing Tilkumar Menyangbo, the Deputy Leader of the Provincial Assembly Parliamentary Party elected from Taplejung, as Chief Minister has caused significant disruption. Oli is determined to remove Karki, while Karki maintains that he will not step down without an institutional decision, leading to repeated discussions ending inconclusively.