Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal' Elected CPN (UML) Parliamentary Party Leader

Kathmandu. Through an election process held on Wednesday, Vice-Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal' has been elected as the leader of the CPN (UML) parliamentary party. Following the announcement of the results, rival candidate Suhang Nembang congratulated Badal on Thursday via social media, clarifying that his candidacy was not for a position but to spark new hope and momentum within the party.

Nembang noted that the party stands at a difficult juncture in its 76-year communist history, stating that routine ritualistic practices can no longer revitalize the movement. He emphasized the need for radical changes in the party's ideology, organizational practices, and working style to address the 'paradigm shift' in Nepali politics.

He argued that the fusion of youth energy and the experience of seniors is the foundation of party building. Responding to comments that his candidacy was 'premature,' Nembang stated that in the face of the current extraordinary crisis and all-around encirclement, ordinary practices cannot resolve the problems.
He expressed his readiness to 'burn like a candle' and 'drink the poison of Kalakuta,' stating that he took this step to dispel the despair within the party. He remains firm that regardless of the technical outcome, such efforts must continue to keep the party alive.

Nembang has humbly requested his supporters and cadres not to make impulsive or negative comments against the leadership and the party on social media. He stated that this is not a defeat, but merely the beginning of a campaign to give the party a new life.

Urging everyone to move forward with wisdom and restraint rather than excitement and impulse, he expressed his commitment to spending his energy for the benefit of the party in the coming days.

Suhang's statement is as follows:

Dear Comrades,

Greetings!

As you know, following yesterday's meeting of our beloved party CPN (UML)'s parliamentary party, respected Vice-Chairman Comrade Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal' has been elected as the party leader through an election process. I express my heartfelt congratulations to him and wish him a successful tenure.

During the parliamentary party election process, I have already put forward my clear views and perspectives. I am firm in the belief that my thoughts and views should be kept within the party's relevant internal committees and procedures. However, considering the reactions expressed on social media and in public after the meeting, I consider it my duty to clarify further.

Respected Seniors,

I know, 'the party's guiding principles, organizational principles, and the historical values and practices established by our movement.' I have always had a deep commitment and loyalty to these values and ideals. I have always emphasized that 'the experience and knowledge of seniors and the energy of the youth' is the main basis for party building.

You may think, 'This candidacy was hasty.' But we all know, 'We are not in a normal situation right now.' There has been a 'paradigm shift' in Nepali politics. New standards, symbols, and values have been created. Have we created those new standards, symbols, and values? What is and will be the relationship and connection of our movement with those long-lasting standards, symbols, and values?

We are standing at the most difficult time in the 76-year history of the communist movement. What do we have left now? We face an extraordinary crisis. We are faced with many questions. We cannot give the party a new life by running away from these questions or pushing them aside. There is a terrifying danger that current despair and frustration will lead us toward exodus. While it may be natural to practice routine exercises based on yesterday's values, ideals, and beliefs in normal times, we are in such an extraordinary time that our ordinary practices cannot resolve the problems. Amidst all-around encirclement, ideological confusion, and extreme despair prevalent among the cadre ranks, it is our collective responsibility to give life to the movement and reawaken the party.

Therefore, it is my deep belief that our seniors will not take it otherwise that we youth are worried about the future of this party, which was built through the decades of painful struggle, blood, sweat, and sacrifice of our seniors. I have deeply felt the sentiments and desire for change of the generation I represent.

On this basis, I can say - 'To revitalize the movement, routine ritualistic organizational practices are no longer enough; a radical change is necessary.' A radical change in our ideology, organizational practices, working style, and values is the first condition.

Dear Friends,

My candidacy was not a thirst for any position or personal ambition. Rather, it was an attempt to generate new hope, enthusiasm, and momentum within the party. I am aware that based on our psychology and past practices, this step of mine may not be personally beneficial. I am also aware that 'to pierce the thick darkness and bring light, someone has to burn like a candle themselves.' Seeing the storm of anxiety ignited in the hearts of thousands of youths like me, I have 'drunk the Kalakuta poison.' Regardless of the technical outcome, I am unwavering in the belief that such exercises must continue to keep the party and the movement alive.

With that understanding and realization, and the conclusion that new hope can be created, I decided to run for the leader of the parliamentary party. The attempt was not successful. Now is the time for everyone to exercise restraint, respect the 'experience and knowledge' of the seniors, and for the youth to spend their energy for the benefit of the party. Negative comments aimed at each other on social media only weaken our collective effort. I again humbly request you not to make impulsive comments against the party, leadership, and leaders.

I said yesterday too, 'The campaign to give the party a new life has not ended, it has only just begun.' Expressing my heartfelt gratitude to the respected seniors and dear friends who have good wishes for me, I humbly request you to present yourselves with wisdom, restraint, and a sense of responsibility, not with excitement or impulse.

Suhang Nembang