KATHMANDU: Standing at a crossroads after the CPN (Unified Socialist) leadership decided to merge with the Maoist Centre, Standing Committee member Ramkumari Jhankri has said that she has not yet decided on her next move.
Though she attended a meeting on Friday with senior leader Jhalanath Khanal and General Secretary Ghanshyam Bhusal, both of whom oppose merging with the Maoists and have left the Madhav Nepal faction, Jhankri remains in a wait-and-watch mode.
Bhusal is reportedly aiming to restructure the Socialist Party, while Khanal is considering returning to the CPN-UML if the party offers a “respectful” entry. UML Chair KP Sharma Oli had called on party defectors to return, but did not extend this to former President Bidya Devi Bhandari and former Deputy Chair Bhim Rawal.
Some leaders in the Khanal-Bhusal faction, including Jhankri, former lawmaker Kisan Shrestha, and Ambar Bahadur Thapa, are reportedly inclined to return to the UML. Jhankri had previously reacted positively to Oli’s social media appeal, indicating a willingness to return.
However, with the Unified Socialist Secretariat deciding on Sunday to participate in the eight-party unity convention on November 5, the formal split between the Madhav Nepal faction and the Khanal-Bhusal group has been confirmed.
On social media, Jhankri also took a swipe at senior leader Bamdev Gautam, who backed the Maoist merger, sarcastically noting that unity seems more powerful than division, as the party is splitting into multiple parts.
Speaking to Khabarhub, Jhankri said, “We have not yet reached a decision on what we will do. Party restructuring or returning to UML are both options under discussion. Reports of me returning to UML are media speculation.”
Previously, Jhankri had a tense relationship with Madhav Nepal even while in the Unified Socialist Party. She had helped register the party with the Election Commission in 2020 by holding Nepal’s hand during the process. Now, she remains undecided whether to join Bhusal in restructuring or to return to the UML, though close associates say she is likely to return if offered a respectful path.
Former lawmaker Kisan Shrestha had also indicated on Sunday that returning to UML is a strong possibility for some leaders.
Comment