Nepal’s recent parliamentary election has left several established political parties grappling with unexpected setbacks and internal debate. The CPN-UML, once a dominant political force, has been reduced to just 25 seats, placing it third in the House of Representatives.
The election has also shaken the Nepali Congress, with its president Gagan Thapa stepping down after the party recorded its weakest electoral performance, securing only 38 seats.
As discussions emerge over leadership and the future direction of the UML, party Vice-Chair Prithvi Subba Gurung says the debate over leadership change is misplaced.
In an interview with Khabarhub, Gurung shared his views on the party’s electoral defeat, the challenges facing traditional parties, and the road ahead.
Excerpts:
There is currently debate about a leadership change within the CPN-UML. What is your view?
This is a baseless debate. Whenever an election approaches, there is talk about changing the leadership. Once the election results are announced, the same debate begins again. Even during protests, the same discussion emerges. This debate itself is inappropriate. No such issue has been formally raised within the party regarding leadership change. It is unnecessary for the media or other individuals to create such discussions. We have not initiated this debate in any way.
So you are saying this debate is not happening within the party?
Even during party meetings, this discussion has not taken place in any form. Our party chair, KP Sharma Oli, is currently observing mourning rituals following his father’s death. Leadership change cannot be decided through street discussions. The party has its own internal procedures and methods. Debates must take place according to the party’s policies, principles, ideology, and processes, not on the streets.
Our general convention was held only recently. How can we immediately start debating leadership change? The UML is not a party that is swayed by populism. Whether people make noise outside or whether we conduct internal review are two different matters. Leadership is tested during difficult times. We are currently assessing our leadership. Raising the issue of leadership change at this moment is simply baseless.
You had said that it would be difficult to secure a majority under this system. Yet the party you did not believe in has achieved it.
There is no reason to panic based on the outcome of a single election and say everything is ruined. Let us wait for some time. Sometimes even a strong wind can appear like a major storm. The question is whether we can withstand that storm or not. The UML has not yet had the opportunity to conduct a thorough and critical review of this matter.
Does that mean raising the issue of leadership change is not allowed?
No, the question is why this debate should be raised now. Who exactly is considered “youth”? What kind of youth? Youth in terms of ideas or merely in terms of age? Why is there such panic right now? Let us first see the results of the work done, and then we can discuss it. We can later debate the differences between younger and more experienced leadership.
The traditional parties seem to be in a very complex situation now. How will they recover?
It is not only the parties; there is concern that the entire state system could enter a complicated situation. It is not just the UML. Parties such as the Nepali Congress, Madhes-based parties, Rastriya Janamorcha, and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party are also facing challenges. Some parties continue their activities even without strong political momentum.
Even now, the UML remains the third-largest party in the country. Why focus attacks only on the UML? Look at the condition of the Nepal Communist Party. The current situation has arisen because everyone has targeted the UML.
How so?
We will conduct an internal review; in fact, it is still pending. Why should we make it public immediately? In party life, we first review internally—where, why, and how problems emerged, and whether there were conspiracies. We will also review the election results. We will identify areas where we need improvement and correction and move forward accordingly. We will analyze it ourselves rather than relying on others’ interpretations.
You had said the UML would secure a majority under Chair Oli’s leadership after the general convention. Yet the party suffered a humiliating defeat.
I do not yet have a clear answer as to whether the leadership failed or whether there was a conspiracy. As I said earlier, we still need to conduct a thorough review. Let us complete that review first. However, one thing I can say is that we failed to properly communicate our work to the people. As a result, we had to face this outcome.
I do not agree with calling it a humiliating defeat. In a democracy, people have the right to choose their representatives. This time they did not choose the UML. We will later analyze whose shortcomings led to that result. But I am ready to accept that we too made some mistakes.
So you now feel the party needs to correct itself?
One defeat should not weaken us so much. There is no reason for us to fall into deep despair because of a single loss. That would be like panicking and running away. We will objectively review where the shortcomings occurred. We must acknowledge our weaknesses, but conducting a serious and honest review takes time.
However, some people say traditional parties like the Nepali Congress and UML are now finished.
That is not anyone’s genuine agenda. It is an agenda promoted by foreign agents. We will see how such agendas are implemented. A new mandate has been given now, and we will wait and observe it for some time. We say to them: show results through your work. We are not in a position to comment much right now.
Let us wait for one or one and a half years. Then you will see for yourself. After that time, people may say, “Perhaps the older parties were better, and the older leaders were better.” However, we hope such a situation does not arise.
What would you say to the party that has secured a majority?
Work sincerely according to the people’s mandate. Do your work without arrogance and without panic. I extend my best wishes.
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