Internal rift rises in Unified Socialist

Kathmandu, September 25 — Nearly three months after the completion of the general convention, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) has not yet managed to divide responsibilities among its leaders.

Following the convention, a five-member task force was formed under the leadership of Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal to allocate tasks among the leaders. The task force includes Chairman Madhav Nepal, esteemed leaders Jhalnath Khanal, Senior Vice Chairman Rajendra Pandey, General Secretary Ghanshyam Bhusal, and Prakash Jwala.

Esteemed leader and task force member Jhalnath Khanal has informed that the formal meeting of the task force has yet to take place. 

"There hasn’t been a formal meeting of the task force so far. During an informal meeting recently, it was discussed that the task force would meet on September 25 to finalize matters," Khanal told Ratopati. "If preparations are ready, we will conclude then; otherwise, we will have to wait for another meeting."

Since the general convention in July, dissatisfaction has been growing among the leaders and activists of the Unified Socialist Party. Many leaders complain that the biased behavior of the leadership during the selection of central officials, politburo, and central committee members has led to a significant increase in dissatisfaction, preventing any energy or enthusiasm from developing in the party post-convention. There is a concern from Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal that further dissatisfaction could escalate if responsibilities and divisions of tasks are not assigned soon.

"The previous dissatisfaction hasn’t been resolved yet. Now, when responsibilities are assigned, Madhav Nepal is likely to prioritize his faction, which could further increase dissatisfaction," one official remarked. "That’s why it’s uncertain whether the task force meeting scheduled for Thursday will take place, as there’s no groundwork completed. Even if the meeting occurs, there won't be a decision reached."

Within the Unified Socialist Party, leaders such as Ram Kumari Jhakri, Jeeban Ram Shrestha, Keshav Lal Shrestha, Birodh Khatiwada, and MPs Kisan Shrestha, Prem Ale, and Dhan Bahadur Budha are reportedly dissatisfied. They are said to be in a position to decide whether to remain in the party based on how the responsibilities are divided. Leaders like Prem Ale and Kisan Shrestha have not attended any party meetings since the general convention.

However, party secretary Som Prasad Pandey, close to Madhav Nepal, claims there is no dissatisfaction within the party as reported in the media. 

"There is no such dissatisfaction inside the party, contrary to what is being discussed in the media," Pandey stated. "In fact, the grievances seen earlier are gradually being addressed."

He expressed confidence that the task force would soon meet and divide the responsibilities among leaders.

"The division will be made in a way that satisfies everyone. There’s no doubt about that," Pandey said. He also refuted claims regarding a potential party split or MPs leaving for other parties if an ordinance is brought by the government.

"The talk of a party split or MPs leaving under an ordinance is not true and unlikely," Pandey asserted. "Even if an ordinance were to come, there is no possibility of any MPs from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) leaving the party."

The party needs to assign responsibilities to the heads and deputy heads of its 32 departments, in-charge and deputy-in-charge of all 77 districts, as well as provincial in-charges and deputy-in-charges, and heads of various commissions.