KATHMANDU: Ishwar Pokharel’s camp in the CPN-UML is reportedly gaining momentum as several close allies of party chai KP Sharma Oli have openly rebelled, intensifying the leadership crisis within Oli’s faction.
The recent unrest comes after the party decided to increase the number of central committee office-bearers to 19, overturning decisions made at the second general convention in Bhadra.
The conflict, which originally erupted over the post of General Secretary, has now spread to other key positions, creating cracks within Oli’s inner circle. Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali, a senior leader loyal to Oli for years, had previously declared that he would not accept any post if denied the General Secretary position.
True to his word, Gyawali left the Bhrikutimandap convention site after refusing to join Oli’s panel and announced that he would not contest even for central committee membership.
Vice chair Prithvi Subba Gurung, included in Oli’s faction panel, has expressed solidarity with Gyawali. Gurung warned that he too would not contest any post if Gyawali is sidelined. “If Pradeep Gyawali is prevented from contesting for General Secretary, I will not run for any post either,” he reportedly told Oli, signaling deepening dissent within the faction.
The visible discontent among top leaders has provided a boost to Pokharel’s camp, which sees the unrest as a strategic opportunity to consolidate support ahead of the central committee elections. Senior leaders aligned with Pokharel have welcomed the defections, saying the developments strengthen their hand in the ongoing power struggle within the party.
Other notable figures who have rebelled include Rajendra Gautam, an Oli confidant, who filed for Deputy General Secretary as an independent candidate after being denied a ticket for the Secretary post. He has been mobilizing supporters in Sankhuwasabha, alleging betrayal by Oli.
Similarly, Raghuji Pant, a former Education Minister, has decided to leave Oli’s faction and contest for Vice President from Pokharel’s camp, signaling a shift among former loyalists. Krishna Gopal Shrestha, another prominent Oli supporter, has also joined Pokharel’s panel to contest for Secretary, citing grievances over being sidelined despite his contributions to the party.
Agni Kharel, another Oli ally from Jhapa, has filed an independent candidacy for Secretary after being excluded from Oli’s panel. These defections, observers say, underscore widening fissures within Oli’s faction and reflect growing dissatisfaction among leaders who feel marginalized in recent organizational decisions.
Oli’s faction still fields several candidates, including Padma Aryal, Chhabilal Bishwakarma, Khagaraj Adhikari, Yamlal Kandel, Sherdhan Rai, Hikmat Karki, Mahesh Basnet, Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal, and Rajan Bhattarai. However, the growing rebellion has complicated the faction’s chances of maintaining unity and discipline ahead of the elections.
Analysts suggest that Pokharel’s camp is now positioned to leverage these defections to strengthen its influence within the party. The momentum gained by Pokharel’s supporters could shape voting patterns in the upcoming central committee elections and potentially redraw the power balance within CPN-UML.
The developments reflect not only internal leadership struggles but also broader shifts in loyalties and strategic alignments within Nepal’s main opposition party. With several top leaders openly switching allegiances, Oli’s faction faces a critical test in sustaining cohesion, while Pokharel’s camp capitalizes on the opportunity to consolidate its presence and expand its base ahead of the elections.
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