KATHMANDU: A dispute has emerged within the CPN-UML as senior and younger leaders clash over the selection of the parliamentary party leader.
The disagreement surfaced during a secretariat meeting held in Chyasal, Lalitpur, on Wednesday, after younger leaders put forward strong claims for the leadership position.
Party chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is currently in police custody, is said to be backing Vice Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa for the post.
However, newly elected lawmaker from Ilam-2 Suhang Nembang has also staked a strong claim, arguing that the changing political landscape and the rise of youth leadership in other parties justify his candidacy.
Despite Nembang’s demand, Oli is reportedly unwilling to hand over leadership, maintaining his preference for Thapa, a proportional representation lawmaker.
Following Oli’s endorsement of Thapa, Nembang has called for an election to decide the parliamentary party leader.
“Chair Oli has already indicated that Comrade Thapa should be the parliamentary party leader, and Thapa is ready,” a UML secretariat member said. “However, Nembang is demanding an election. Despite his claim, Oli is not inclined to support him.”
There is also growing support within the party for Nembang’s leadership bid, though Oli has not shown willingness to consider it.
Meanwhile, Rajendra Rai, who secured a third consecutive victory from Dhankuta, has also claimed the position. However, he too appears unlikely to receive Oli’s backing.
Earlier, a UML secretariat meeting had assigned Thapa the responsibility of selecting the parliamentary party leader and Padma Aryal for the chief whip position.
Party leaders say Aryal, also a proportional representation lawmaker, is a contender for the chief whip role. Both Thapa and Aryal were elected to their respective positions during the party’s 11th General Convention from Oli’s panel.
While Nembang and Rai continue to push for an election, Thapa has remained publicly silent on the issue.
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