KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has rejected calls from within his party to resign before the upcoming 11th General Convention, instead projecting himself as a stronger leader following the party’s ongoing Central Committee meeting. He urged dissenting leaders to remain within the bounds of party discipline.
During the meeting, several leaders suggested that Oli should take a political decision similar to Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who recently delegated executive authority to his deputy following the Gen Z-led protests in September. Unlike Deuba, however, Oli neither expressed self-criticism nor showed any willingness to step aside, instead accusing those demanding his resignation of engaging in a media trial.
Deuba, who was injured during the protests on September 8 and 9, had convened a meeting of his party’s central committee and entrusted Deputy President Purna Bahadur Khadka with executive responsibilities. He is also reportedly not seeking re-election at his party’s next general convention.
In contrast, Oli made it clear that he intends to retain his position until the UML convention and even hinted at contesting again for the party chairmanship. He challenged his critics to face him at the convention, asserting that he remains the legitimate leader of the party.
According to party sources, more than 50 leaders called for Oli’s resignation during the meeting, but he downplayed their concerns and concluded the session without addressing their criticisms. Those close to Oli said he is working to consolidate his influence ahead of the convention, including mobilizing younger leaders to shape the pre-convention environment.
Several senior leaders, including former education minister Bidya Bhattarai, urged Oli to take a political step like Deuba and act as a “guardian” figure until the convention, but Oli refused. He maintained that he has made no mistakes requiring resignation.
Dispute over Bhandari’s party membership renewal
The issue of renewing former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s party membership also surfaced during the meeting. Over 55 leaders reportedly supported renewing her membership, but Oli stood firm on his earlier position, signaling that renewal was unlikely. “No one needs to act like a relative,” Oli reportedly said, adding that he had supported Bhandari during difficult times and knew her well.
Calls for internal reform ignored
Some leaders, including UML secretaries Yogesh Bhattarai and Surendra Pandey, proposed that Oli announce he would not run in the next general convention, but Oli rejected the idea, citing his “moral right” to contest. Calls were also made to bring back former vice-chair Bhim Rawal to the party fold, but Oli remained silent on that issue as well.
“We requested him to formally commit not to return to leadership after the 11th convention, but he refused,” UML Vice-chair Pandey told Khabarhub. “The party cannot continue in this condition. The upcoming convention must make a progressive and ideological decision.”
Leaders plan to challenge Oli at the convention
Vice-chairpersons Ashtalakshmi Shakya, Yubaraj Gyawali, and Surendra Pandey, along with secretaries Gokarna Bista and Yogesh Bhattarai, and senior vice-chair Ishwar Pokhrel are reportedly preparing to challenge Oli’s leadership at the upcoming general convention. Younger and more ideologically driven leaders are also planning to oppose his re-election.
Despite repeated proposals that Oli announce his decision to retire from the leadership role before the convention, he refused to do so. One central committee member said, “We have been asking him to step aside and assume a guardian role, but he has chosen not to. After the convention, we are determined not to allow him to return as party chair.”
Supporters chant ‘I love you KP Ba’
Following Oli’s refusal to resign, a group of youth leaders loyal to him chanted slogans such as “I love you KP Ba” and “Long live KP Oli” at the meeting venue, cheering his decision to remain in power.
The show of support from loyalists, along with Oli’s defiance, has fueled speculation that he plans to continue leading the UML even after the 11th General Convention. Whether the party’s convention delegates will challenge his grip on leadership remains to be seen.
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