Lawmakers close to UML’s Nepal-Khanal faction in mood to resign en masse

KATHMANDU, May 8: 

In what appears to be a severe blow to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, a faction in the ruling CPN-UML close to senior leaders duo Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhala Nath Khanal, are preparing to resign en masse. 

Reviewing the recent efforts made to keep the ruling CPN-UML’s unity intact, the Madhav-Jhalanath faction drew a conclusion that Chairman KP Sharma Oli is not ready for the same. A meeting of the lawmakers close to the faction on Saturday evening concluded that Chairman Oli is not sincere in keeping the party unity intact. 

“We will hold a meeting of the Standing Committee on Sunday evening and take further decisions,” a leader told Ratopati. “We’d rather resign en masse instead of voting in favor of KP Oli,” he added.

He, however, said that a formal decision into this effect has not been taken yet. "It’s not that we have prepared our resignation letters, nor has it been signed. It will be discussed in Sunday’s Standing Committee."

The leader also said that crossing the floor during voting in parliament on May 10 would be against the discipline. “Therefore we are thinking of resigning en masse as no alternative is left for us.”

The second-rung leaders of the UML held several rounds of negotiations with the Oli faction to save party unity for the past three days. However, the lawmakers of the Nepal-Khanal faction concluded that Chairman Oli is not ready to withdraw actions taken against the lawmakers and decisions taken on March 12 earlier this year. 

Prime Minister and UML Chairman Oli is scheduled to seek a vote of confidence on Monday (May 10).