CPN-UML Leader Yuvraj Gyawali Discusses Political Retirement, Party Direction, and Elections

Kathmandu. CPN-UML leader Yuvraj Gyawali has virtually bid farewell to his organized and active political life spanning five decades. At a time when the rush to buy tickets is increasing, Gyawali returned the ticket he received for the 2074 elections. He announced at the 11th General Convention of the UML that he would not contest for any position, stepping down from the Vice-Chairmanship, while remaining steadfast in his stance against the two-term limit for party officials and the 70-year age limit. Gyawali spoke with Ratopati's 'Warpaar' (Showdown) on topics including the UML's ticket distribution, elections, the party's current state, and the electoral contest between KP Sharma Oli and Balendra Shah. Here is the edited excerpt of the interview (the full interview can be viewed on video):

Are you retiring from active politics?

I am not inactive. Nor have I left the party. If the party assigns me a task, I will go. I mean I will not remain in an executive position of the party.

Party Chairman KP Sharma Oli did not ask you to leave, did he?

I could have fit in. Since the Chairman himself is contesting for the third time as Chairman, the statute allowed us leeway.

He commanded a majority in the Central Committee. People favorable to him were given responsibilities as district in-charges and in various other roles.

So, does the UML operate more on legacy than ideology?

Legacy, it has become a very personal legacy situation. People like Durga Prasai have also entered the Central Committee. Of course, after the General Convention sidelined me, there was no alternative but to remain quiet.

Sometimes such situations arise. If we look at the history of communism worldwide, major communist parties have survived great accidents. It is very difficult to run and sustain a communist party.

Do you see any procedure being followed in the UML's current ticket distribution?

There is a huge amount of partiality seen in ticket distribution. I am still hearing that in some places, secret alliances are being made to ensure the victory of a certain leader, leading to the defeat of candidates from another district. Collusion is happening to defeat a candidate in one place and ensure the victory of a candidate in another place within the same party. This is a despicable act.

Why are those individuals or groups who face partiality in ticket distribution so helpless and silent?

Once the party decides and allocates, it is the duty of every party member and leader/cadre to ensure victory.

Have you been given any role in the elections?

No.

What will you be doing throughout the election period then?

I will go if someone calls me. Otherwise, I won't go looking for work. Would I go just like that?

There must be many leaders and cadres like you who are inactive; won't that harm the party?

The party should take care of that. Matters of who to assign where, and how to assign them.

The Nepali Congress held a special General Convention after yours; how do you view that?

The leaders of the Nepali Congress have truly failed to resolve their internal contradictions. I consider this a weakness of the leadership.

There is no need for turmoil. Rather, there is a lesson to be learned from it—the need for new faces, the need to bring new leadership forward.

How many seats will the UML win in the election? Tell us something believable.

The UML should form a government with a resounding majority in 2082 BS. If you look at the organizational network and organizational base of the UML...

But the votes won't come.

The party is as it is. Will your party chairman win the election?

What I expect is that the UML gets a majority. If not, it must, at least, be the largest party.

There are the events of Bhadra 23 and 24. Even after that, your Chairman refused to go to the investigation commission, refused to contest the election, and refused to join the government. You yourself mentioned partiality in ticket distribution. Are these the reasons why a majority will come?

What is the use of complaining? It is our party, with such a history and organization. If it is ruined, the 21st will show it. If it is intact, the 21st will also show it.

Has the ringing of the Rastriya Swatantra Party's bell caused anxiety for the UML?

There is a challenge across the country. The challenge is serious. It is not easy with small efforts. UML candidates should not be complacent assuming that the people will overwhelmingly vote for the Sun symbol.

Due to the energy and enthusiasm of new faces and young people, the Nepali Congress might get a chance to be revitalized.