KATHMANDU: The ruling CPN-UML has been headed towards the verge of split yet again after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli dissolved the House of Representatives (HoR) for the second time.
The party is likely to split after the establishment faction took action against 11 lawmakers including senior UML leader Madhav Nepal and Jhala Nath Khanal of the disgruntled faction, stripping them of party general memberships.
Nepal and Khanal had become party heads for 15 and 12 years, respectively.
If there is no dramatic turn of event, only a formality is remaining for the CPN-UML to split.
The leaders of the Nepal-Khanal faction have said that the Oli’s action has no meaning since he is bent on wiping out the communist movement in Nepal.
They have said they will establish a new party in consultation with the other communist parties since Oli is conspiring to end the communist movement.
“The action taken by Oli has no meaning. We are ready to do whatever we can to save the communist movement. We tried our best to rectify our party chair Oli but in vain. Now, we will openly protest against the anarchic, autocratic and anti-democratic attitude of Oli,” said UML leader Birodh Khatiwada of the Nepal-Khanal faction.
The CPN-UML on Monday expelled 11 leaders, including Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhala Nath Khanal, from the party.
A Standing Committee meeting held at Prime Minister’s official residence yesterday evening decided to dismiss the 11 leaders and seek clarification from 12 others within 24 hours. It also decided to withdraw from the government in Sudurpaschim Province.
As many as 23 UML lawmakers close to Nepal faction of the party signed the petition filed against the dissolution of the parliament Monday afternoon. Other leaders who have been permanently expelled from the party are Bhim Rawal, Mukunda Neupane, Ram Kumari Jhankri, Sarala Yadav, Pushpa Kumari Karna, Kalila Khatun, Niradevi Jairu, Laxmi Chaudhary and Kalyani Khadka.
They did not submit clarification sought on Saturday for supporting opposition alliance candidate Sher Bahadur Deuba. The deadline to submit explanations expired Monday morning.
Senior leader Nepal, Bhim Rawal, Surendra Pandey and Ghanashyam Bhusal have been penalized for the second time by the establishment.
The remaining 12 lawmakers have been given 24 hours to submit clarification.
The UML had split after the establishment faction had taken action against Bamdev Gautam group in 2054 BS.
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