KATHMANDU: Senior Vice Chair Ishwar Pokhrel, once unanimously elected at the UML’s 10th General Convention in Chitwan in 2021, has now emerged as a serious challenge to party Chair KP Sharma Oli.
The UML’s Central Committee meeting on July 21–22 decided to remove the post of Senior Vice President from the next convention, a decision later endorsed by the party’s Second Statute Convention in Godawari on September 5–7. With his position set to end, Pokhrel is preparing to directly confront Oli at the 11th General Convention scheduled to begin on December 13 in Kathmandu.
Oli, who lost his two-thirds hold on power after the sudden Gen-Z uprising of September 8–9, has refused to step down from party leadership. Senior leaders have been pressuring him to take responsibility, especially over the human and material loss during the protests. But instead of backing away, Oli has begun pushing back, targeting Vice Chair Surendra Pandey, Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai, and others who questioned his leadership, saying he will avenge them at the convention.
Amid this tense climate, many UML leaders have started building a strategy to remove Oli through the 11th General Convention. At the center of this plan is Pokhrel, who, according to those who met him recently, is openly telling visitors that he will contest for the top post. He has said there is no more room left to retreat, and has vowed to enter the field without hesitation and challenge Oli head-on.
In a long conversation with Khabarhub, Pokhrel confirmed he is preparing an entire panel to compete against the Oli establishment. For Oli, the timing is particularly difficult, he has even paused the renewed party membership of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who has been critical of him and is expected to support Pokhrel if he runs. Pokhrel said internal discussions are underway and several senior leaders, including Bhandari, could side with him once he officially steps in.
Oli’s political image has sharply declined after the Gen-Z protests, and if Pokhrel forms a strong panel, similar to the one Madhav Kumar Nepal built during the 9th Convention, insiders say Oli may face his toughest challenge in years. However, it remains to be seen how much support Pokhrel will gain from party cadres who are eager to welcome former President Bhandari back into active politics.
When asked directly if he will run for party Chair, Pokhrel said, “It is not about readiness. The country and the people want change. We must give a message.” He added that both he and the party must correct their weaknesses and that the Gen-Z movement’s voice must be addressed with seriousness.
EXCERPTS:
The 11th General Convention of the CPN-UML is approaching. How are the preparations going?
We are engaged in various levels of preparation. We are seriously working on managing the leaders, cadres, and delegates who will participate from across the country. We are attempting to make the convention energetic and successful.
This convention is being closely watched. How will UML present itself?
A general convention is a platform to discuss policies, statutes, and the organizational structure. We have already held two conventions. During the Statute Convention held from September 5 to 7, we discussed policy and procedural matters. However, the incidents of September 8 and 9 changed many circumstances. Political equations shifted. The situation changed drastically. The General Convention is the supreme forum of the party to discuss these issues. We will discuss policies, necessary amendments, and leadership structure. Leaders are preparing accordingly. The convention will determine how the party moves forward in the changed political context.
The main interest is whether KP Sharma Oli will lead the party for a third time or whether a new face will emerge. What do you say?
The General Convention is the supreme authority to decide that. Party members across the country understand the situation. The elected delegates will discuss and decide. They will surely make a decision in favor of change, this is self-evident.
Are you personally ready to take up leadership? Will you challenge Oli?
Anyone who meets the qualifications is ready. Not just me, those planning to contest for other office positions are also prepared. There’s nothing unusual about it. We must move forward based on policy and procedure. Competition is natural in any convention. Panels may form, that’s not new.
So is your team preparing?
As the convention approaches, colleagues are discussing what should be done and how. We’re evaluating what makes the party stronger, what people and cadres want, and what the ground reality suggests. We are seeking collective solutions, we cannot remain stuck in problems forever.
You are often criticized for creating hype early and backing out later. Some say you even forget your own announcements.
That wasn’t the case during the Chitwan Convention. It was a special situation. It was natural for KP Sharma Oli to stay on as chair. Bim Rawal later contested, but the situation favored Oli, so Rawal lost. I never stepped forward then. I thought if repeating the same chair once more would help the party, I would stay quiet. There was no hype from my side.
Former President’s party membership has been halted. Many UML leaders support her, yet her renewal didn’t proceed. Can’t you speak against Oli on this?
It’s not that we cannot speak. We discuss all kinds of difficulties and complexities and seek solutions. This issue too will be resolved, and the party will move ahead.
So the chapter on the former President’s membership isn’t closed?
No, it’s not closed. One meeting has put it on hold. It remains an agenda within UML, and discussions are ongoing.
In the previous Secretariat meeting, Oli reportedly said he would speak about this matter later. Did he?
I don’t know. Probably not.
Why is the Chair holding back? What is the reason?
He must know the reason. But it is wrong to delay. We have repeatedly said this. You know the reasons behind the delay as well.
What does the former President say? It’s said you are in regular communication.
Not regular, but we meet occasionally. We talk about personal well-being and political matters. She expresses deep concern about how the party should grow and what it should become. She has great affection for the party.
Has she abandoned her plan to return to UML politics?
No. UML is her party. She has been in it since her youth. Her desire to return is natural. She should return. UML needs her.
If you can’t bring her back, won’t that be difficult for UML?
We will discuss and find a solution that avoids difficulty.
So the possibility of her return to UML is alive?
Of course. It’s a political matter. It can come up in meetings anytime. She didn’t leave the party in anger. She wants to return home. She should return, and we should bring her back.
There is talk that if her membership isn’t renewed, you might run for chair. But some suspect you may not stand firmly. Are you ready this time?
Discussions happen from all angles. But what is the reason to stop her membership? Whether I stand firmly or not can be seen in the convention. I haven’t gone around hyping things; I’m consulting. Colleagues have advised me. Let’s see during the convention. Wait a little.
UML is a communist party but practices democratic procedures. How can everything be unanimous?
Exactly. UML believes in democratic practices. Those who don’t understand UML talk about consensus. That is not how we function.
Again, are you truly ready to run for chair?
We are discussing with everyone. More than personal readiness, the country and people want change. We want to give at least one message. We will proceed collectively after thorough discussions. Why wouldn’t I be ready?
Will elections also be held for positions other than the chair?
UML follows democratic procedures. Everything cannot be unanimous. We believe in democratic practice.
But Oli keeps saying the convention will be unanimous, that things will end once he reads out the names.
If there’s no discussion at the convention, how can it even be called a convention? That wouldn’t be a real general convention. The convention is precisely the place to discuss policies, statutes, and leadership. If not, why have the convention at all?
When other communist forces are uniting, UML appears isolated and surrounded. How do you view this?
UML wants to play a responsible role. Communist unity shouldn’t be based only on labels; it should be based on work. But here, even name-only communists seem to be uniting. That is not good. Unity is needed among those who work, both organizationally and personally.
Oli is seen selectively bringing back leaders favourable to him.
No. He too supports unity based on work, not on names. Leaders who can contribute must be brought back. There’s no point bringing leaders who won’t contribute.
UML faces difficulty facing elections. During Gen-Z protests on September 8 and 9, Oli was PM but made no self-reflection. He blamed others. Where will UML end up this way?
This matter will be raised in the convention. The solution lies in the convention. Questions arose during the movement. We will discuss what to do next. With the changed situation, mindsets must also change. Everyone must self-reflect, myself included. After the Statute Convention came the Gen-Z movement, so UML’s statute must also be updated. Only then will people be inspired.
Will it be difficult for UML to win over the Gen-Z generation?
We will move forward by addressing issues of good governance, service delivery, anti-corruption, public expectations, and Gen-Z demands. Their demands are also our demands. It is not difficult for us to reach the people.
Will UML address Gen-Z’s demands, such as old leaders stepping aside, age limits, and opening corruption files?
We will address the concerns they raised about political parties. On issues requiring state action, we will apply pressure. Other parties must also improve. I am ready to improve myself. We will initiate reforms from all sides.
So Gen-Z demands will be addressed?
UML is a party that responds to people’s demands. We must address them.
Left forces seem to be uniting to isolate UML in the election.
UML moves forward based on its ideology, plans, and programs. It did so yesterday and will do so today. No one can isolate us. UML will face the election with new ideas and leadership.
What message do you want to give UML delegates, well-wishers, and the Gen-Z generation?
Their concerns must be addressed positively by both the state and political parties. Issues of governance, delivery, corruption control, and social media restrictions must be resolved legally. We must be sensitive toward nationalism, dignity, independence, and sovereignty. Young people must also understand our history and experience. And UML delegates must choose a conflict-free leadership that energizes the party and the people.
Are you ready to be tested before the people with new leadership in the upcoming elections?
Yes. Whatever needs to be done will be done. UML representatives will make the right decisions at the convention.
Elections alone are not enough; self-reflection is also necessary. Gen-Z says other parties improved but UML did not.
If improvements are needed, they must be made. We must see who needs to improve. I believe our intentions haven’t deteriorated, but wherever we have weaknesses, they must be corrected. I have raised these issues within the party.
If you continue raising your voice against the leadership and then run for chair, isn’t there a risk you’ll be isolated like Bhim Rawal?
Why would speaking the truth lead to isolation? If speaking truth isolates me, I am ready. But the truth is this: those who need to improve must improve. I am ready to correct my mistakes too. The party and its ideology must survive. The people must not suffer. I will not back away from speaking the truth.
Comment