PARBAT: The ruling CPN-UML, currently under the sole leadership of Chairman KP Sharma Oli, is witnessing increasing internal conflicts despite his one-man rule.
Recently, clashes have erupted between rival factions within the party and its affiliated organizations in various districts.
On Tuesday, tensions flared at the UML convention in Dhanusha between the factions of Raghubir Mahaseth and Umashankar Argariya. The conflict, stemming from a power struggle for leadership, resulted in a brawl, leaving several people injured.
Before the situation in Dhanusha could be resolved, another altercation broke out between the cadres of the Youth Association Nepal, the UML’s youth wing, at the party office in Parbat.
The fight left Arjun Poudel, a member from Gandaki Province, and Dhruba Shrestha, a Youth Association leader, injured. Poudel is currently receiving treatment at Shantideep Hospital in Parbat.
The conflict in Parbat is rooted in a long-standing rivalry between two influential factions within the district – one led by former National Assembly Speaker Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, and the other by former Minister Padam Giri.
Timilsina has been determined to remove Giri from the party’s influence, but despite his efforts, the Giri faction dominated the recent district convention.
Although Timilsina’s faction lost in the UML district committee elections, he continues to push for influence, which led to the latest confrontation.
On Wednesday, the Giri faction’s youth members inaugurated the party’s district convention, only for Timilsina’s faction to protest and demand the event be postponed. The situation escalated into a violent clash, with injuries reported.
This latest incident follows an earlier conflict at the Taplejung district convention of Youth Association Nepal.
During that event, a dispute broke out when a new committee was proposed without proper elections, sparking a physical confrontation. The situation worsened when leaders of the Youth Association failed to resolve the dispute over committee selection, leading to a delay in forming the new leadership.
Comment