Shankar Pokharel blames four forces for coordinated attacks on UML

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has claimed that four different forces are working together to weaken his party, accusing them of launching coordinated attacks through social media and political narratives.

Addressing the sixth meeting of the UML Kathmandu District Committee in Tokha on Thursday, Pokharel alleged that royalists, Maoists under the communist name, populist socialists, and foreign powers are jointly attempting to undermine the party.

“These groups are mainly waging cyber attacks against UML to weaken us. They are doing so because their interests align only if UML becomes weak,” Pokharel said.

He stated that royalists are particularly targeting UML because they see the party as the main barrier to their revival agenda. “Had UML not existed, the royalists might have already reinstated the monarchy. But their movement launched on May 29 lost momentum due to UML’s presence,” he said, adding that criticism from royalists only affirms UML’s correct stance.

Pokharel also criticized the Maoists and other leftist factions, saying they believe their growth is only possible by weakening UML. “These so-called communists, acting in the interest of foreign powers, have intensified their attacks especially after UML entered into a power-sharing arrangement with the Nepali Congress,” he said.

He further accused the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah of misleading the public through populism while targeting UML for exposing their flawed policies. “They are targeting UML because we resist the culture of hate and stand for social harmony and Nepali values,” he added.

Pokharel also hinted at international actors being involved in efforts to weaken UML. “If UML were weak, Nepal would have turned into a puppet of foreign interests. We resisted blockade, incorporated lost territory in the national map, and stood for national dignity. This is why we are under attack,” he said.

He called on party members to remain strong and counter such attacks rather than be demoralized.