KATHMANDU: The panel led by CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli is facing difficulties in finalising a candidate for the crucial post of General Secretary at the party’s ongoing 11th National Convention.
With the nomination deadline approaching, the Oli camp has yet to finalise its full panel. Leaders close to the process say the rival faction led by Senior Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokhrel is also holding back from publicly announcing its panel, waiting to see how Oli resolves internal disagreements.
While most other office-bearer positions have seen relatively smooth discussions, sharp differences have emerged within the Oli group over the General Secretary post. The rift has primarily surfaced between Vice-Chair Bishnu Poudel and incumbent General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel, as three senior leaders remain firm in their claims to the position.
Deputy General Secretaries Pradeep Gyawali and Prithvi Subba Gurung have both expressed strong interest in becoming General Secretary, while Shankar Pokhrel is seeking a second term. However, Bishnu Poudel has reportedly warned that he would quit the Oli panel altogether if Shankar Pokhrel is re-nominated as General Secretary.
Poudel has maintained that Pradeep Gyawali should be the consensus candidate, failing which Prithvi Subba Gurung should be chosen. According to party leaders, ideological differences and regional factors have strained relations between Shankar Pokhrel and Bishnu Poudel.
Leaders claim Poudel has already hinted that he would not remain in the Oli panel if Gyawali is not made General Secretary.
“Despite working through the night, the panel has not been able to decide on the General Secretary candidate. Once that post remained unresolved, complications arose in other positions as well,” a UML leader from the Oli camp told Khabarhub. “The Chair is inclined to push Shankar Pokhrel as General Secretary, but Bishnu Poudel has refused to agree. If Shankar is nominated, Pradeep Gyawali has said he will remain only as a central committee member, which has further complicated matters.”
According to the leader, Oli held both individual and collective discussions throughout the night. During those talks, Gyawali reportedly conveyed that if he is not trusted with the General Secretary role, he would neither accept the post of Vice-Chair nor repeat as Deputy General Secretary.
“If my contribution is not needed as General Secretary, I can work as a central committee member,” Gyawali was quoted as telling Oli. He reportedly reminded the leadership of his role in ideological debates, organisational matters, government formation, and the UML–Congress alliance, while making it clear that he would not accept a symbolic promotion.
On the other hand, Shankar Pokhrel has argued that appointing Gyawali as General Secretary would weaken the party organisation and reduce unwavering support for Oli’s leadership. Pokhrel has insisted on continuing as General Secretary, warning that promoting Gyawali now could pave the way for Bishnu Poudel’s faction to challenge Oli’s dominance at the 12th General Convention.
Sources say Poudel is being viewed within the Oli camp as attempting to strengthen his faction by backing Gyawali for the General Secretary position. Poudel, known for his organisational grip and ideological influence within the Oli group, has frequently raised questions internally about Oli’s centralised leadership style.
Leaders close to Oli say the party chair appears inclined to retain Shankar Pokhrel, given his consistent alignment with Oli’s decisions.
“If the Chair announces Shankar Pokhrel as the General Secretary candidate, our panel may not win that position,” a leader from the Oli camp said. “Although Pradeep Gyawali is also from Oli’s side, many delegates consider him ideologically stronger and more acceptable. Compared to Shankar, Pradeep has a better image. But the Chair seems to prefer Shankar.”
Several leaders have reportedly warned Oli that Shankar Pokhrel may struggle to secure victory if re-nominated. According to them, Shankar’s public standing is weaker than Gyawali’s, and even leaders aligned with Oli may hesitate to vote for him in the convention election.
Surendra Pandey finalised as General Secretary candidate by Pokhrel camp
Meanwhile, the Ishwar Pokhrel-led faction has finalised Surendra Pandey as its candidate for General Secretary. Leaders close to Deputy General Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai say he stepped aside in favour of Pandey to ensure unity within the group.
“In the current complex situation, Yogesh chose to move back to reach a point of consensus. Despite being strong himself, Surendra Pandey appears stronger in this contest,” a leader from the Pokhrel camp said. “Pandey has been unanimously endorsed as the General Secretary candidate, while Gokarna Bista will contest for Vice-Chair.”
According to the Election Commission, the deadline for filing nominations is 1:30 pm today. As of now, neither faction has officially finalised or announced its complete panel.
Leaders say the Pokhrel camp is closely watching developments in the Oli faction, hoping to attract dissatisfied leaders if Oli fails to manage internal dissent. The Pokhrel group has also signalled its intent to prioritise youth representation in its panel, with leaders such as Gokul Baskota, Thakur Gaire and Rachana Khadka likely to contest for secretary positions.
Comment