Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal' Unanimously Elected as CPN-UML Parliamentary Party Leader

Kathmandu. Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal', who has a former Maoist background, has been unanimously elected as the leader of the CPN-UML parliamentary party. The parliamentary party meeting held at the central office in Chyasal on Wednesday elected Badal unopposed. 70-year-old Badal was challenged by 36-year-old youth leader Suhang Nembang. When efforts to make Badal the leader by consensus initially failed, the election committee began preparations for a formal voting process. However, after being persuaded by leaders including Vice-Chairman Badal, Bishnu Prasad Paudel, and General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Suhang withdrew his candidacy. MP Ain Mahar stated that rumors suggesting Suhang failed to secure a proposer or seconder were incorrect.

'Suhang-ji had also staked a claim for the parliamentary party leader position. Discussions were held regarding selecting a leader by consensus. After he withdrew his name, Ram Bahadur Thapa was elected unanimously. Nothing like what is being rumored outside happened,' he told Ratopati.

Party Secretary Padma Aryal also confirmed that Badal was elected unopposed. She said, 'The party leader was selected through consensus. Nothing else happened.'

Badal is a leader who has received multiple opportunities in both the former Maoist party and the UML. Suhang is the son of the late former Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang. He entered politics after his father's passing in Bhadra 2080. Suhang was elected from Ilam-2 in the by-election held in Mangsir. However, the parliament was dissolved last Bhadra due to the Gen-Z movement. While party officials, including former Prime Minister and party Chairman KP Oli, were defeated in direct elections, he achieved a spectacular victory from his father's constituency. Suhang is considered a very popular youth leader not only within the party but also among the general youth. After withdrawing his candidacy for party leader, he demonstrated political maturity by honoring Badal, a leader of his father's generation, with a shawl and offering his congratulations. The UML won a total of 25 seats in the recently concluded elections.