CPN-UML Appears 'Invisible' in Nepali Politics

Kathmandu. CPN-UML has appeared somewhat 'invisible' in Nepali politics lately.

After being ousted from power following the Janji movement, UML became almost invisible in Nepali politics after suffering a shameful defeat in the elections held on Falgun 21, weakening its parliamentary strength.

In the Falgun 21 elections, UML was limited to 25 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives, becoming the third largest party. Immediately after the election results were made public, Chairman KP Sharma Oli was arrested, two factions emerged within the party regarding the perspective on the Janji movement, and Oli's unwillingness to take responsibility for the weak electoral results led to a slowdown in party activities and a state of invisibility.

Citing the fact that no concrete review has been done even two months after the elections were completed as an example of UML's invisibility, CPN-UML leaders and cadres themselves say so.

'It has been 2 months since the election ended, but the election has not been reviewed,' says a central member of UML. 'Everyone knows that the main reason for the weak electoral results is the weakness of the leadership, but the leadership is still not ready to accept this fact.'

Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Secretary of UML, states that party meetings could not be held due to the health condition of Chairman KP Sharma Oli. 'Immediately after the election results were made public, he was arrested, and then he underwent surgery,' says Secretary Dhakal. 'He is still recovering.'

According to Secretary Dhakal, it has not yet been decided when the meeting will be held. 'There is no decision yet on when the meeting will be held. You will know once a decision is made,' is Dhakal's reply.

Last Chaitra 13, after Oli was arrested, Vice-Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal received the responsibility of acting chairman. Badal convened two meetings in his capacity as acting chairman. The most recent UML Secretariat meeting was held on Chaitra 20 under the chairmanship of Vice-Chairman Badal. Before that, a Secretariat meeting was also held on Chaitra 17 under Badal's chairmanship. It was at that time that the party leader had to be selected. Amidst discussions of transformation and generational change within the party, UML selected Badal as the parliamentary party leader.

Even though there were demands to make a young generation leader, the leadership's preparation to make Badal the party leader under Chairman Oli's direction angered the young generation UML leaders and cadres, who even demonstrated at the party office. However, contrary to the wishes of the youth, UML selected Badal as the party leader.

To this extent, even though the young generation Suhang Nemwang wanted to be the party leader, he was prevented from filing his candidacy through various stratagems. This further increased the internal conflict within UML. Moreover, party leaders objected to the statement made by Thapa as the parliamentary party leader in the first meeting of the House of Representatives held on Chaitra 19. After his statement, Vice-Chairman Bishnu Poudel demanded a Secretariat meeting and asked for clarification on the intention of Badal's statement.

Silent Leaders, Confused Cadres

Immediately after Thapa was selected as the parliamentary party leader and made his statement, a debate ensued among UML leaders on social media. Vice-Chairman Bishnu Poudel, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Deputy General Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai, and former Vice-Chairman Surendra Pandey all spoke out on the issue of party transformation. But now, UML leaders do not want to speak formally or informally about the internal conflict within the party.

'There is a state of confusion within the party. There is no subject to speak about. In such a situation, there is no alternative but to remain silent,' says a Secretariat member. 'Nothing can be said until a meeting is held and discussions take place.'

According to that leader, the party has become a victim of indecision in recent days. 'When the party does not conduct concrete analysis and formulate policies and programs, there is a state of confusion among the cadres as well,' the leader told Ratopati. 'Even when a meeting is demanded, the chairman is not showing interest, citing his health.'

Moreover, some youths of UML have started a signature campaign demanding a special general convention. It is rumored that General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Vice-Chairman Bishnu Poudel have also supported their campaign.

In such a situation, if a Secretariat meeting is called, there is a risk of Oli being in the minority. Some leaders believe that Oli may be delaying the meeting, understanding this very fact.