CPN-UML Faces Internal Discord Amidst Leadership Challenges

Biratnagar. Amidst calls for party restructuring and the resignation of leadership within the CPN-UML, Chairman KP Sharma Oli has challenged those seeking to remove him from the party chairmanship from his home province to do so. He also signaled that no one could remove him. Four public programs related to the UML were held on Sunday by the leadership level. While Chairman Oli continued to reject the front against him, those calling for party restructuring also tried to voice their opinions at these programs. While Chairman Oli challenged those trying to remove him by calling them 'vagrants' and 'ticks', General Secretary Shankar Pokharel declared the party a failure in its governance role. On the other hand, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari discussed party restructuring, advocating for the creative transformation of ideology and youth participation. Addressing the meeting of the Democratic Indigenous Tribal Federation in Ilam, Chairman Oli sharply attacked those debating leadership change within the party. Accusing them of trampling on party procedures and discipline, he said, 'Indiscipline and anarchy have increased in the party. Some vagrants sitting in the party office canteen talk about removing the chairman. Is removing the chairman a joke? Do they have party membership? They have gathered like reckless people. They are having tea and saying they will remove the chairman, when will they remove him, they are saying remove him quickly.' Oli warned that leadership change would not happen through tea gossip and canteen meetings, and cautioned them to wait for the general convention process. Oli's aggressive stance continued at the 'Mission Party Jagaran Campaign' inauguration program in Jhapa. There, he sarcastically referred to those talking about party restructuring as 'ticks'. He said, 'Those who take opportunities from the party are dissatisfied. After a tick eats its fill, it falls off the buffalo's body. They are trying to make UML a buffalo too, friends. Eat as much as you can, and when you are full, leave it. UML is not that kind of party. The tendency to wear a 'Radhe Radhe' (a religious chant) and carry a knife inside does not exist in UML.' He openly challenged those running a signature campaign to remove him, saying, 'To remove the chairman! If you want to remove him, remove him quickly, it's late. But some are going around signing, this has no strength.' Oli also urged party cadres to be vigilant against his opposing faction, advising them not to get involved in unnecessary matters. 'None of us need to get involved, and we won't. We must be united. Not unnecessary things, at this time we must unite and fight against reactionary forces,' Oli said. He stated that even if one is thrown down in wrestling, one must get up again. 'If someone falls down once in wrestling and leaves the arena, will they wrestle? After falling once, one must get up, grab them, and throw them down with a 'dhobi pat' (a wrestling move). This is our way. CPN-UML does that. This is not a party that runs away, not a fugitive party,' Oli said, targeting the upcoming provincial and local elections. 'We must be above 51 percent in every ward. Friends must prepare for that. Make your ward at least above 51 percent UML. Friends, go, go to every house, go to every person, go to the fields, go to the sisters in their kitchens, in their vegetable gardens.' While Chairman Oli claimed the party was 'healthy' and its opponents were 'vagrants', General Secretary Shankar Pokharel's voice in Kathmandu was completely different. General Secretary Pokharel admitted for the first time in history that UML had faced governance failure. He concluded that it was no small matter that the communist movement remained defensive despite producing six prime ministers and 21 chief ministers. 'Regarding the communist movement of Nepal, my understanding and conclusion are this: we were champions in terms of struggle and revolution. In terms of governance, we proved to be a failure,' Pokharel said. Referring to the rebellion of August 23 and 24, he said the problem lay within. 'We thought this rebellion was under geopolitical conflict, under conspiracy. Then we started exposing the conspiracy under geopolitical conflict. But by February 21, the people themselves rejected us,' he said. He clarified that if the people's dissatisfaction is not addressed, the problems will remain as they are, and it is impossible to move forward without reviewing the past. On Sunday, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari also made a statement questioning the current style of the party. Speaking at a program of the Madan Bhandari Ideology Student Forum, Bhandari said that politics is not just about asking for votes in elections. She emphasized the need to transform Madan Bhandari's ideology to suit the times, rather than repeating it verbatim. 'Rather than repeating Madan Bhandari's ideas verbatim, today's generation must embrace their core essence and find a way forward according to the changing times and the needs and possibilities of the new generation,' she said. Resistance to the leadership's style and language has also begun from within the party. UML leader Jhapta Rawal directly questioned Chairman Oli, commenting that calling party cadres 'vagrants' is contrary to Marxist principles. 'Did you not reach your current highest position without demanding and struggling for the change of the previous leadership? Should tea gossip be considered the living pulse of the party, or a gathering of vagrants?' he asked. He claimed that it was irresponsible to tell those demanding reforms to 'leave the party', stating that the party is not anyone's private company. While Oli was roaring from Jhapa and Ilam saying 'Show me by removing me', General Secretary Pokharel accepting defeat in Kathmandu saying 'We have failed', and former President Bhandari urging to 'find a new path', indicates a significant difference of opinion within the UML.