Rawal mulls new political party after UML expulsion

Kathmandu, December 27 — CPN (UML) has expelled its former Vice-Chairman Bhim Rawal, accusing him of continuously making statements against the party's interests. According to close associates of Rawal, he is preparing to announce the formation of a new party soon. However, Rawal will not include the word 'Communist' in the name of the new party.

In a meeting of the UML Secretariat on Wednesday, Rawal was expelled from the party, and leaders Binda Pandey and Usha Kiran Timsena were suspended for six months. Despite opposition from some secretariat members, there is ongoing discussion both inside and outside the party regarding the disciplinary actions against the leaders.

Rawal has criticized the actions against him, calling them the result of an authoritarian, dictatorial, and arbitrary attitude of UML Chair and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. He has appealed to the patriotic and honest leaders and cadres within UML to oppose these actions.

Following his expulsion, speculation has risen about what Rawal will do next. Will he form a new party, join another party, or try to reverse the disciplinary action through his supporters in UML and return to the party’s politics? These are the three options that have been discussed, according to his close associates.

Rawal has been holding discussions and consultations to decide his next steps but has not yet made a final decision. According to one UML central committee member, "He is a political figure, and he won’t just sit idle. He is discussing the options of forming a new party, joining another party, or attempting to get the disciplinary actions reversed and returning to UML."

Among these options, forming a new party seems to be the most feasible. Rawal has reportedly made some preparations for it. Before taking further steps, he plans to hold a press conference to reveal his upcoming strategy.

After his expulsion, Rawal accused Oli of taking arbitrary and autocratic steps against him under the influence of power. He appealed to UML leaders and workers to oppose Oli's unjust decisions. Rawal spent Thursday and Friday consulting with his supporters in the Far Western region about what would be the right course of action.

One of Rawal's close allies, Deependra Khatri from Achham, revealed that Rawal had signaled the start of a new campaign. Khatri told Ratopati, "Rawal has no plans to join another political party but is thinking about starting a new campaign. His supporters in the Far Western region have not accepted UML’s decision and have advised him to move forward in a new direction."

Rawal believes that if a new party is formed, it could attract not only UML members who feel sidelined but also those from other parties who have been marginalized. He sees this as an opportunity for nationalistic forces to unite. "It is more likely that the new party will not include the word ‘Communist’ in its name," Khatri added.

Rawal has told his close allies that he will announce his official stance through a press conference in the coming days. According to Prakash Shah, an UML leader from Achham, who is close to Rawal, "He will expose Oli’s dictatorial tendencies in a press conference in a day or two. He will not join any other party but will form his own."

Earlier, in 2009, Rawal had prepared to form a regional party during the 'Akhanda Sudur Pashchim' campaign but later shelved the plan.

Some believe that Rawal may join the Unified Socialist Party, as they had recently decided to engage in dialogue with leaders like Rawal and Bamdev Gautam to bring them into the party. However, Unified Socialist Chairman Madhav Nepal has held talks with Gautam but not yet with Rawal.

Unified Socialist senior leader Pramesh Hamal has said that the door to join the party remains open for Rawal anytime, though they would need to have discussions first. "We haven’t been able to talk to him after the recent developments, but the door is open if he wishes to join," Hamal told Ratopati.

At the 10th UML General Convention in Chitwan in November 2021, Rawal, who had competed against Oli for the chairman's position, was defeated. Since then, after competing against Oli’s will, Rawal has been in conflict with Oli and has been sidelined within the party.