CPN-UML Secretariat Meeting Continues Amidst Internal Tensions

Kathmandu. The CPN-UML secretariat meeting, called to review the work division of leaders and the overall election, is also continuing on Saturday. The meeting on Saturday is a continuation of the meeting held on Friday at the residence of Chairman KP Sharma Oli in Gundu.

In Saturday's meeting, after Deputy General Secretaries Yogesh Bhattarai, Raghuveer Mahaseth, and Lekhraj Bhatta, nine secretaries are scheduled to present their views. In Friday's meeting, four out of five vice-chairmen suggested that Oli resign from the chairmanship and help in the party's reorganization.

Instead of accepting the suggestions given by the vice-chairmen, Oli signaled action against the leaders and cadres demanding reorganization, making Friday's meeting tense. During that time, there was a heated exchange between Chairman Oli and Vice-Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal with other Vice-Chairmen Bishnu Poudel and Prithvi Subba Gurung. After the leaders in the secretariat, who had been supporting him in the past, demanded his resignation, Chairman Oli expressed his intention to proceed according to the decision of the Central Committee meeting.

Chairman Oli is confident that he has a majority within the Central Committee. However, a leader said that some office-bearers are preparing to demand Oli's resignation in Saturday's meeting as well.

"It has become almost certain that the party cannot be run by Oli anymore. In such a situation, he should pave the way and save his remaining image," said a secretariat member, "His alternative will be discussed in the meeting."

With four vice-chairmen standing against Oli, it is being estimated that other members of the CPN-UML will also stand against him. In the 19-member secretariat, only Vice-Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal and Secretary Mahesh Basnet appear firm in Oli's support. A leader stated that in the changed circumstances, although some leaders are not vocal, they are not in favor of supporting Oli.

Recently, with General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Bishnu Poudel also standing as alternatives to Oli, Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatta, Raghuveer Mahaseth, Secretaries Hikmat Dhakal, Sherdhan Rai, Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Rajan Bhattarai, and Yamlal Kandel are also said to be standing with them.