KATHMANDU: CPN-UML leader Dr. Bhim Rawal finds himself in a political limbo within the party, as Chairman KP Sharma Oli has marginalized his role, leaving him neither fully integrated nor entirely excluded.

Similar to Oli, Rawal has the capacity to lead a faction, but currently, he walks a solitary path.

Despite maintaining ties with UML, he holds no substantive position within the party.

Speculation is rife that due to UML’s diminishing relevance and its anticipated merger with the Unified Socialist Party, Rawal might initiate a new regional political outfit.

Furthermore, he is reportedly collaborating with Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and drawing closer to Bidya Bhandari, strategizing to encircle Oli.

Since May 31, Rawal has been extensively engaged in meetings with UML and other communist leaders across various districts of Sudurpaschim Province, seemingly gauging support for potential new political ventures.

According to a UML parliamentarian from Sudurpaschim Province, Rawal appears hesitant to endorse any new initiatives. Conversely, he shows reluctance in aligning against Oli alongside Bidya Bhandari.

With both leaders declaring their candidacy for the chairmanship, second-generation leaders have begun proposing General Secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal as an alternative.

Amidst these developments, Rawal has actively interacted with grassroots leaders and increased activisism in Sudurpaschim Province districts, keen on understanding their sentiments and gauging his influence.

During a recent event in Achham, when questioned by Khabarhub about starting a new party, Rawal responded, “I have not considered forming a party. I am currently a member of CPN-UML. Post-Chitwan Convention, the treatment meted out to me by the party made me feel sidelined. Now, I’m gathering opinions and consulting with party colleagues and workers.”

When queried about launching a new party during his rural municipality campaign, Rawal replied, “If people suggest it, I will discuss it with my friends. However, I haven’t made a decision.”

A rural municipality chair elected from UML indicated that should Rawal decide to establish a new party, he could expect support from UML and other communist party workers.

The leader remarked, “Many leaders, including us, would stand by him. We’re prepared for it.”

Despite rumors of him potentially visiting Jhapa, Chairman Oli’s hometown, to initiate a new party, Rawal humorously dismissed the notion, stating, “Perhaps some Jhapali friends who admire me have said that. Currently, I am in Achham.”

“I do not advocate for regionalism. National interests and nationalistic thinking should prevail. Therefore, any new approach would be at the national level,” Rawal emphasized, reflecting his stance amidst ongoing speculations about his political trajectory.

Why not join the Unified Socialist Party?

Following his departure from UML, the Unified Socialist Party was registered with the Election Commission on August 18, 2021.

However, by November 18, 2021, leaders including Asta Laxmi Shakya, Yuvaraj Gyawali, Surendra Pandey, Yogesh Bhattarai, Gokarna Bista, Ghanashyam Bhusal, Bhim Acharya, Amrit Bohara, and Raghuji Pant re-engaged with UML, alongside Vice Chair Rawal, a staunch critic of Oli.

While Oli’s relationships improved gradually, reconciliation with Rawal and Bhusal remained elusive.

Consequently, Bhusal joined the Unified Socialist Party on January 13, 2022.

However, Oli showed no interest in accommodating Rawal within UML, given their longstanding disputes.

Despite efforts by Madhav Nepal and leader Sher Bahadur Kunwar to integrate Rawal into the party, he remained non-committal.

Conversely, Jhalanath Khanal sought to prevent Rawal’s inclusion, setting the stage for internal discord.

Bhusal strategized to prevent Rawal from contesting the presidency after Madhav Nepal.

Rawal continues to criticize Oli openly. Unified Socialist leader Ghanashyam Bhusal, another vocal critic of Oli, was also denied a ticket by UML for the 2079 BS House of Representatives elections.

Nevertheless, Rawal engaged in discussions with Madhav Nepal, with both leaders acknowledging ongoing negotiations.

Bhusal, however, refused to accept that Rawal was being sidelined, asserting Rawal’s goodwill towards them.

During the national convention of Unified Socialist Party in Kathmandu from June 30, discussions emerged about Madhav Nepal and Bhusal’s efforts to integrate Rawal into the Sociaist Party.

However, due to potential leadership conflicts between Chairman Nepal and respected leader Khanal, Rawal’s entry into Socialist Party remains uncertain.

With both leaders declaring their candidacy for the chairmanship, second-generation leaders have begun proposing General Secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal as an alternative.

This scenario diminishes the possibility of Rawal assuming the presidency after Nepal, prompting Socialist Party leaders to resist his inclusion.

Rawal stated he hasn’t recently engaged in discussions with any leaders, noting, “Some friends visited me. However, I won’t abandon UML, which I’ve dedicated 40 years to, because of one leader. I plan to remain active.”

Despite his readiness to remain active within UML, Rawal awaits formal communication from its leadership.

While he maintains good relations with UML leaders, disagreements persist with President Oli and his close associates, some of whom remain actively opposed to him.

What’s the feud about?

Following his re-election as party Chairman during the 10th convention, Oli sidelined his rival Rawal completely from UML, sparking Rawal’s ire.

The bitterness escalated when Oli withdrew Rawal’s ticket recommended by the local committee.

Oli attempted to nominate Rawal as a central member despite their rivalry at the 10th convention, but Rawal declined.

Oli’s decision to bar Rawal from the House of Representatives further strained their relationship, with Rawal demonstrating passive resistance during the 2079 BS elections in Sudurpaschim, contributing to UML’s weakest electoral performance to date.

Following Rawal’s ticket denial, UML secured 3 direct seats and 7 proportional seats in the Sudurpaschim Provincial Assembly.

In the 2074 BS elections, UML won 11 direct seats in Sudurpaschim Province but only secured 2 seats in 2079 BS.

Following Rawal’s ticket denial, approximately 40 UML leaders and activists, including the UML coordinator of Achham-1, resigned en masse from the party. Consequently, communication between Rawal and Oli ceased.

From UML, Tara Lama Tamang of Kanchanpur Constituency-1 and Damodar Bhandari of Baitadi are now in the House of Representatives.

Despite remaining the second-largest party after the November elections, UML faced a shifting power landscape with the emergence of new parties like the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

Oli is currently focused on consolidating power through an internal strengthening campaign within UML, albeit distancing himself from influential leader Rawal.

The ‘Mahakali Mechi Yatra’ launched under the ‘Grassroot Campaign’ did not involve Rawal, nor did UML inform him about it.

Rawal continues to criticize Oli openly. Unified Socialist leader Ghanashyam Bhusal, another vocal critic of Oli, was also denied a ticket by UML for the 2079 BS House of Representatives elections.

He contested against UML leader Chabilal Bishwakarma but was defeated.

In the 2079 BS elections, UML nominated Jhapat Bohara in Achham-1, an area under Rawal’s influence, which Rawal did not support.

Sher Bahadur Kunwar of the Unified Socialist Party won this seat.

Following Rawal’s ticket denial, approximately 40 UML leaders and activists, including the UML coordinator of Achham-1, resigned en masse from the party. Consequently, communication between Rawal and Oli ceased.