KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli appeared to be in the minority during the party’s secretariat meeting held for the first time after the March 5 election.
Of the 19 office bearers, 14 spoke during the two-day meeting, and 12 reportedly indicated that the party should look for an alternative to Oli’s leadership.
Leaders participating in the meeting claimed that between five and seven leaders directly demanded Oli’s resignation. Sources also said that party General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, once considered one of Oli’s closest allies, spoke in favor of finding an alternative leadership during Saturday’s meeting.
According to sources, Pokharel argued that the UML could no longer move forward under the current status quo and that all leaders should engage in self-reflection and guide the party in a new direction.
He reportedly stated that the chairman and other office bearers should be prepared to correct themselves on certain issues or make necessary sacrifices. Otherwise, he warned, more than half of UML leaders and cadres could begin searching for an alternative political force before the next election.
Leaders say Oli still appears confident despite growing criticism within the meeting. Sources claim that he has instead been attempting to strengthen his influence within the secretariat through various internal strategies.
“He is still unwilling to admit that both the party and the country suffered because of his decisions,” a secretariat member told Khabarhub. “He argues that UML did not lose because of him alone but because of a broader conspiracy. He says that not only UML, but other parties also suffered setbacks, and therefore he should not be blamed individually.”
Pressure grows after Pokharel’s remarks
Oli reportedly became uneasy after General Secretary Pokharel publicly signaled that UML leadership should now be handed over to a new generation. During the meeting, Oli attempted to defend himself by issuing various directives.
A secretariat member who attended the meeting said Oli appeared visibly uncomfortable after Pokharel remarked that UML could neither reconnect with the people nor revive the party under the current circumstances.
“After the General Secretary strongly argued that UML must move forward in a new direction, the chairman appeared visibly unsettled,” the leader said. “The same reaction was seen yesterday when Comrade Bishnu and Comrade Prithvi Subba spoke, and today it was repeated during the General Secretary’s remarks.”
Majority of secretariat members seen opposing Oli
Based on discussions so far, a majority of secretariat members appear to favor leadership change within the party. However, Oli is said to be relying on Secretary Mahesh Basnet and Vice Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapa to defend his position.
Sources said Oli delayed the conclusion of Saturday’s meeting after most office bearers scheduled to speak supported the idea of finding an alternative leadership.
Leaders expected to speak later, including Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Sherdhan Rai, Khagaraj Adhikari, and Rajan Bhattarai, are generally viewed as close to Oli. However, sources claim that some of them may also support calls for leadership restructuring.
“All leaders have an equally important role in saving the party,” a leader participating in the meeting said. “Those scheduled to speak tomorrow also appear to favor reorganizing the party and moving it in a new direction.”
Although Secretary Padma Aryal, Deputy Secretary General Lekh Raj Bhatta, and Secretary Chhabilal Bishwakarma did not directly call for Oli’s resignation, their remarks reportedly indicated that UML could not continue under the existing leadership structure.
Oli reportedly irritated by Yogesh Bhattarai’s remarks
CPN-UML Chairman Oli reportedly became further irritated during Sunday’s secretariat meeting when party leader Yogesh Bhattarai spoke critically during the discussion.
According to leaders present at the meeting, Oli repeatedly interrupted Bhattarai and urged him to remain “dignified” and keep his remarks brief.
“The chairman repeatedly told Yogesh to present himself in a dignified manner and to shorten his speech,” a leader attending the meeting told Khabarhub. “It appeared as though the chairman wanted Yogesh to speak as little as possible and showed visible irritation while listening to him.”
Mahesh Basnet defends Oli
UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet strongly defended Oli during the meeting, arguing that the party’s current difficulties cannot be blamed solely on the chairman.
Basnet said targeting the leadership during a period of crisis goes against the party’s principles and accused some party leaders of engaging in internal conspiracies.
Referring indirectly to leaders such as Yogesh Bhattarai and Gokarna Bista, Basnet argued that several leaders had themselves failed to deliver respectable electoral results while criticizing the leadership.
Although he agreed that UML should move forward in a new direction, Basnet reportedly said that demands for the chairman to step down or resign reflected a regressive political tendency.
Leaders deny Oli’s resignation was formally demanded
After the meeting, UML Deputy General Secretary Lekh Raj Bhatta told journalists that no leader had formally demanded Oli’s resignation during the discussions.
Bhatta said Oli had drawn attention to media reports that he claimed exaggerated internal disagreements.
“The chairman expressed concern that matters discussed within the party meeting were being unnecessarily leaked and sensationalized in the media,” Bhatta said. “Discussions held within the party should remain within the party.”
Similarly, UML Secretary Padma Aryal also denied that any leader had directly called for Oli’s resignation.
“I am not aware of anyone demanding the chairman’s resignation,” Aryal said. “Leaders spoke about taking the party forward in a new direction and incorporating everyone’s sentiments, but no one explicitly said the chairman should resign. I am surprised by how such reports appeared in the media.”
Younger generation pushing for leadership transition
Sources say that calls for leadership change are not limited to the secretariat meeting. Younger leaders within the UML Central Committee are also reportedly advocating for a generational transition in party leadership.
According to party insiders, several leaders believe not only Oli but also other first-generation leaders should gradually move into advisory or guardian roles, allowing second- and third-generation leaders to take over active leadership responsibilities within the UML.
The issue is expected to surface more prominently during the upcoming Central Committee meeting. However, sources claim Oli has been working to consolidate his support base within the committee to maintain a majority.
Oli says he will respond in today’s meeting
At the conclusion of Saturday’s meeting, Chairman Oli said it would be his turn to speak during the next meeting.
After listening to the views expressed by party leaders, Oli reportedly remarked that he had now understood where leaders stood when the party was facing difficulties.
“Now I clearly understand where the leaders stand and what they are doing while the party is in trouble,” Oli reportedly said.
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