Judul : Chair Oli's three pillars in UML
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Chair Oli's three pillars in UML
KATHMANDU, July 19 -- The CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli appeared notably serious during Thursday's Central Secretariat meeting. His somber demeanor followed senior vice-chair Ishwar Pokhrel's apparent divergence from Oli's line. Photos from the meeting show a visibly tense atmosphere among all participants.
At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister and UML Chair Oli expressed his views regarding former President Bidya Devi Bhandari's interest in re-entering politics. Speaking about Bhandari, Oli said, "She has already renewed her party membership. She has made several public statements. Is this a matter we can or cannot discuss in the party's Secretariat meeting? Should she be allowed to return to politics or not?"
His remarks were followed by a turn-wise discussion. Bhandari had announced her return to active party politics on June 28. The UML Secretariat formally discussed this matter, which had also been raised during the Politburo meeting on Friday.
Within the UML, two distinct views have emerged regarding Bhandari's return. On June 28, senior vice-chair Pokhrel publicly stated that Bhandari's return to politics should not be seen as unusual. Chair Oli was well aware of this. After Pokhrel took a stance in Bhandari's favor, Oli secured the backing of Vice-Chair Bishnu Prasad Paudel and Deputy General Secretary Prithvi Subba Gurung, both influential figures in the party.
Since General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has always stood by Oli, there hasn't been much difficulty from that front. Retaining Vice-Chair Paudel and Gurung under his wing is both a necessity and a compulsion for Oli.
In the Secretariat meeting, Oli had to present Paudel and Gurung as trustworthy allies to strengthen his internal position.
This alignment was further confirmed when UML leader Khimlal Bhattarai shared a photo of Oli and Paudel on July 11, with a caption describing them as "successful and capable men with broad hearts committed to doing something for the country." The post signaled that Paudel was in Oli's camp.
Soon after, Khag Raj Adhikari shared a photo with Gurung. Although they hold differing views in the party, such meetings and exchanges of warmth between leaders are not unusual in UML circles. Their meeting was seen as meaningful. On July 16, Adhikari wrote, "We had the chance to have an in-depth discussion on the prosperity of Gandaki Province. We both share the same vision. We concluded that the federal parliament and government must make serious and constructive efforts in terms of legal reform and resource mobilization to strengthen the province," while sharing the photo with Gurung.
On July 17, the Secretariat meeting convened to discuss the upcoming Statute Convention, barring former President Bhandari from participating as a representative. Citing that only representatives from the party's 10th General Convention could be part of the Statute Convention, she was prevented from attending. The meeting lasted 10 hours and passed the proposal that only the 10th General Convention representatives would serve as Statute Convention delegates. At the time of the 10th Convention, Bhandari was serving as President of Nepal.
During the meeting, Vice-Chair Paudel proposed removing the age limit of 70 years and the two-term cap from the party statute on executive positions of the party. Although he also proposed reducing the number of party office-bearers from 19 to 11 and trimming the central committee to 199 members, a consensus was reached to have 15 office-bearers and 251 central committee members.
All members, including Chair Oli, expressed their opinions in the Secretariat meeting. Senior Vice-Chair Pokhrel spoke for the longest time-around two and a half hours-while Oli listened, occasionally sipping water. Pokhrel addressed Bhandari's reentry into party politics and matters concerning the Statute Convention. He even questioned Oli directly, asking, "Why do you still want to lead?" This led to a heated exchange when Oli declared he was not ready to step down for another term. While Pokharel was speaking, Oli asked, "Who are the people involved in this design to remove me?"
Subsequently, Astalaxmi Shakya said that those interested in leadership should contest in the upcoming General Convention, suggesting a broader discussion and leadership development, which added vibrancy to the discussion. Various statute-related provisions were debated. The issue also received priority in the Politburo meeting. The meeting dragged on due to disagreements over the proposal to remove the age and term limits. According to one office-bearer, a decision was ultimately made based on a majority vote due to the lack of consensus.
When Pokhrel raised the issue of setting a 70-year age limit, Oli snapped, "Whose agenda is this-Karna Thapa's?" This provoked Pokhrel, leading to a heated exchange. "UML Chair Oli said Ishwar Pokharel's proposal was Karna Thapa's and not fit for Secretariat discussion, which sparked a lengthy verbal clash," said one office-bearer. "The debate continued for a long time, and a kind of silence followed."
Sources said Pokhrel objected during the statute discussion, pointing out that the statute had been printed three times. When he raised the issue, Oli tried to intervene, prompting a strong reaction from Pokhrel. "I'm expressing my views. You have a problem within yourself. This isn't how party leadership should function," Pokharel reportedly said.
Bhandari is being seen as a possible contender for the party chair in the 11th General Convention. Pokhrel is reportedly advancing plans to ensure Bhandari becomes the next party chair at all costs.
Oli's realization in the meeting
In Thursday's Secretariat meeting, Chair Oli sat between General Secretary Pokharel on his right and Senior Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokhrel on his left. As Oli received support from one Pokharel, the other was in opposition.
Although proposals were passed by majority and minority votes, no note of dissent was officially recorded. This was the first instance since the 10th National Convention that a proposal had been passed based on a majority-minority split. "Chair Oli truly experienced what a meeting feels like-support from some and opposition from others. This was the first meeting where he faced open dissent," said one office-bearer.
Wherever Ishwar goes, that becomes the establishment
In past general conventions, wherever Ishwar Pokhrel stood, that side became the establishment faction. During the 8th General Convention held in Butwal in February 2009, Pokhrel sided with Jhala Nath Khanal's panel and was elected General Secretary from that camp, defeating Pradeep Nepal. Had he not sided with Khanal, Oli would have likely become chair back then, as Oli and Khanal were rivals for the top post.
Recognizing this, Oli brought Pokhrel on board for the 9th General Convention held in July 2014. At that time, Pokharel was the General Secretary candidate from Oli's panel. With Pokhrel's support, Oli defeated Madhav Kumar Nepal by 44 votes for the chair's position. Pokharel narrowly won the General Secretary post, defeating Surendra Pandey, who was Nepal's candidate. Pandey was later elected as Vice-Chair from the 10th Convention. In both of these conventions, the faction that Pokhrel supported emerged as the establishment side.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Republica.
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