KATHMANDU: With the 11th National General Convention of CPN-UML approaching, elections to select convention representatives are underway across most districts of Koshi Province, except Solukhumbu, where all representatives were selected unanimously.
In Solukhumbu, Buddhikumar Rajbhandari and Dufkumar Bastola were chosen under the open category, DB Ranapal under the marginalized quota, Kalpana Rai and Mohan Kumari Karki under the women’s quota, and Jagnath Bastola under the youth quota for those under 40 years.
According to the schedule, UML activists in all 14 districts of Koshi Province are actively preparing to select their representatives by November 29. Koshi is the home province of both UML provincial chair KP Sharma Oli and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, which has created visible factional tension between the two leaders.
Oli, who has removed the two-term executive limit, is vying for a third term as party chair, while Bhandari, having blocked her organized members, is backing Senior Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokhrel as chair.
While Solukhumbu saw consensus, other districts will witness competitive elections. Koshi Province will select 241 representatives for the general convention: 229 from local levels, 7 from the GEFONT quota, and 5 from the provincial committee, according to Koshi Provincial Chair Ghanshyam Khatiwada.
Competition is expected to be particularly fierce in Morang and Jhapa, where Bhandari’s faction holds strong control over district and metropolitan committees. In Morang, Ajambar Rai, a Bhandari supporter, currently serves as district chair. A total of 145 candidates have filed nominations for 46 seats: 21 open, 15 women, 3 Dalit, and 7 youth quota, said UML Morang Vice-Chair Sagar Thapa.
In Koshi, both factions have mobilized key leaders. Pokhrel supporters include Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai and Vinod Dhakal, while Oli’s faction counts Vice-Chair Guru Baral, Standing Committee members Sherdhan Rai, and Hikmat Karki among their key representatives.
Multiple districts are forming separate panels to contest for representation. In Dhankuta, Rajendra Rai aligned with Oli and Indramani Parajuli aligned with Pokhrel, indicating potential factional voting patterns. Analysts suggest the establishment could be weakened in Koshi, especially in Morang, while Pokhrel’s faction is likely to dominate Ilam, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, and Udayapur.
Violence during preparations
Tensions escalated in Sunsari, Dharan, where clashes broke out between factions over youth representative selection. During discussions at the municipal party office, Anil Rajdhami, aligned with the Pokhrel faction, was physically assaulted by opposing members and dragged toward Nepal Bank Chautara. Rajdhami had filed nomination for the youth quota in constituency no. 1 but refused to withdraw, leading to the attack, according to eyewitnesses.
The upcoming Koshi elections will not only determine representation for the 11th General Convention but also offer a clear picture of the factional balance between Oli and Pokhrel within the province.
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