UML Secretariat: Six leaders opposed Oli's proposal to take action against party leaders

Kathmandu, December 26 — It has been revealed that half a dozen leaders in the Secretariat of the CPN (UML) disagreed with the proposal to take action against three of the party’s leaders.

At a meeting held for around four hours at the party's central office in Chyasal on Wednesday, six leaders opposed the proposal to take action against former Vice Chair Bhim Rawal, Standing Committee member Dr. Binda Pandey, and Central Committee member Ushakiran Timsena.

Vice Chairs Ashtalakshmi Shakya, Yuvraj Gyawali, Surendra Pandey, Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali, and secretaries Yogesh Bhattarai and Gokarna Bista expressed the view that the proposal for action should be reconsidered.

Even Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali, who is known to be aligned with the Oli faction, insisted that the proposal for action be reconsidered.

“One of the leaders, Pradeep Gyawali, also urged Chair Oli to listen to the request, but it was not heeded,” said a member of the Secretariat. "The leaders opposing the action suggested that Pandey and Timsena should not face any action, and if action was necessary against Rawal, it should be discussed with him first before proceeding, but no hearing was held."

Vice Chair Shakya pointed out that taking action against the leaders while the party is running the 'Mission 84' campaign could send the wrong message, stating that it was not the right time. Shakya’s view was supported by Yuvraj Gyawali, Surendra Pandey, and others.

“This is not the right time to take action; let’s not do it now,” a member of the Secretariat quoted the discussion. “Democratic centralism must be maintained in the party.”

Following this stance from the leaders, Oli opposed the idea of not taking action against Rawal.

“He has already crossed a point where it’s impossible to turn back,” Oli reportedly said. After this, the leaders did not wish to move forward against Oli’s wishes, according to sources.