KATHMANDU: The loudest calls yet for leadership change within the CPN-UML are emerging not from its rivals but from the political backyard of party chairman K. P. Sharma Oli himself.
As UML leaders gathered in Biratnagar to dissect the party’s disappointing March 5 election performance, speakers demanded organizational restructuring, generational transition, and the voluntary exit of long-serving leaders. The message from Koshi Province—and even Oli’s home district of Jhapa—was unmistakable: the party can no longer postpone the question of succession.
The delegation included General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Vice-Chairpersons Bishnu Poudel and Prithvi Subba Gurung, and Secretaries Sherdhan Rai and Bhanubhakta Dhakal. More than 100 leaders participated in the consultation program, which sought to assess the party’s ground realities following the electoral setback.
Among the approximately 70 leaders who spoke during the meeting, a strong consensus emerged in favor of party reorganization. Around 40 participants argued that meaningful restructuring would require the current leadership to step aside and facilitate a generational transition.
Several speakers stressed that the party’s entire first-generation leadership should voluntarily and respectfully make way for younger leaders. They argued that organizational renewal and leadership transfer were essential for rebuilding public trust and restoring the party’s electoral strength.
The calls carry particular significance as they originated from Koshi Province, the home province of UML Chairman Oli. Many leaders said the time had come for Oli and other senior leaders to hand over responsibilities to second- and third-generation leaders. Their remarks are likely to increase pressure on Oli to relinquish the party leadership.
The meeting was attended by district chairpersons from all 14 districts of Koshi Province, central committee members, provincial committee leaders, representatives of affiliated organizations, and provincial lawmakers. Many participants warned that without organizational reform, the UML would struggle to regain its former political standing and public credibility.
Several leaders also pointed to dissatisfaction among grassroots cadres with Oli’s leadership style as one of the factors contributing to the party’s electoral defeat.
Jhapa leaders also back reorganization
Leaders from Jhapa, Oli’s home district, echoed similar sentiments.
Jhapa District Chairperson Prem Giri, along with Ramchandra Upreti, who lost the March 5 election from Constituency-1, and Hari Rajbanshi, who was defeated in Constituency-3, all advocated for party restructuring and leadership transition.
They argued that organizational reform should involve the entire first-generation leadership rather than focusing solely on Oli.
“Party reorganization is the need of the hour,” Giri said. “The election defeat cannot be attributed to one individual alone. The first-generation leadership as a whole should voluntarily step aside and create space for restructuring. If we are discussing reform, we must look beyond a single person and examine whether those who have repeatedly occupied leadership positions should continue to do so.”
Giri added that while many recognize the need for organizational change, the discussion should not be limited to the chairman alone but should encompass broader leadership renewal.
Upreti and Rajbanshi also emphasized collective responsibility for the party’s setbacks.
“In any political organization, both successes and failures are shared responsibilities,” they said. “It would be unfair to place the entire blame on Oli. If leadership transition begins with Oli and is followed by other senior leaders, we would support that process. However, reform should not be pursued by portraying one individual as solely responsible while others claim innocence.”
They maintained that while party reorganization and leadership transition were necessary, leaders at all levels should first examine their own shortcomings. They also suggested that both domestic and external factors had influenced the party’s electoral performance.
Calls for accountability from district leaders
Tehrathum District Chairperson Shiva Dhungana and Panchthar District Chairperson Bishnu Sapkota also supported party restructuring and greater accountability among senior leaders.
Both leaders acknowledged organizational weaknesses and argued that long-serving leaders should voluntarily step aside.
“There are many shortcomings that need serious review,” they said. “External factors contributed to the defeat, but internal weaknesses were equally important. The public was dissatisfied not only with the party but also with its leadership. We failed to connect with voters and win their confidence.”
They further argued that leadership renewal should extend beyond the party chairman to include office-bearers and leaders who have held positions repeatedly at central, provincial, and district levels.
“We suffered significant political damage due to various controversies surrounding the central leadership, particularly Chairman Oli,” they added.
Oli: ‘Do not blame one person’
Chairman Oli, who did not attend the meeting in person due to health reasons, addressed participants virtually.
During his remarks, Oli defended the party’s record, stating that the leadership had undertaken substantial work and that electoral outcomes should be viewed collectively. He argued that election defeats must be accepted when political campaigns fail to resonate with voters.
However, despite repeated criticism from participants regarding the role of the leadership in the party’s electoral setback, Oli stopped short of accepting personal responsibility for the defeat.
Addressing the meeting virtually, Chairman Oli urged party leaders not to attribute the UML’s electoral defeat to a single individual. He argued that the party had failed to effectively counter what he described as misinformation and negative propaganda during the election campaign.
“We could not counter the propaganda directed against us. We failed to communicate the truth and challenge false narratives effectively, and that contributed to our electoral setback,” Oli said.
“There is no need to blame one person and absolve everyone else of responsibility. Whatever assessments you have gathered at the grassroots level should remain objective. They should not be presented in a way that weakens one individual while strengthening another.”
Oli also informed participants that he was unable to attend the meeting in person due to health issues. Since the March 5 election, he has repeatedly stated that he has been unwell and has made only limited appearances at public events. However, his remarks suggested that he is not considering stepping down from the party leadership despite growing calls for a generational transition.
During his address, Oli signaled confidence in his leadership position, noting that party leadership is determined through democratic processes within the organization.
“There is a need for some rest because of health concerns,” he said. “But the leadership was entrusted by party members through elections. The situation we face today has emerged partly because our own leaders failed to effectively communicate the party’s achievements. At the same time, both domestic and external forces have launched significant attacks against the UML.”
The consultation meeting in Biratnagar remained unfinished on Tuesday and is scheduled to continue on Wednesday. General Secretary Shankar Pokharel is expected to hold further discussions with provincial leaders.
Task force coordinator Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, who attended Tuesday’s session and addressed participants after hearing their views, is not expected to be present during Wednesday’s deliberations.
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