KATHMANDU: A Secretariat meeting of the CPN-UML has been underway for the past three days at party Chair KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, where leaders are also reviewing developments since March 5.
During the meeting, which began on Friday, Secretariat members continued delivering their views on Sunday. According to party sources, only four among the 19 office bearers who have spoken so far openly defended Oli.
With all office bearers having expressed their views by Sunday, preparations are underway to conclude the meeting. Sources claimed that while most vice chairs, the general secretary, deputy general secretaries, and secretaries stood against Oli’s current leadership style, only four leaders openly sided with him.
According to sources, Vice Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ and Secretary Mahesh Basnet strongly defended Oli during the discussions.
Likewise, Secretary Yamlal Kandel, who is also the Chief Minister of Karnali Province, and Secretary Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal were also seen openly backing Oli.
Kandel is considered close to Oli and had become chief minister with his support. Dhakal, too, is regarded as a leader who has consistently benefited politically under Oli’s patronage.
Dhakal previously served as coordinator of UML’s mass organization mechanism. Oli has already proposed appointing him to the influential Organization Department during the Secretariat meeting.
Among the secretaries who spoke on Sunday, both Dhakal and Kandel strongly defended Oli’s leadership.
As the meeting entered its third day, all secretaries had already presented their views.
Meanwhile, Secretaries Sherdhan Rai and Hikmat Karki, who are considered close to former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, said the party could not move forward in its current state.
Oli had earlier reportedly attempted to remove Koshi Chief Minister Hikmat Karki, accusing him of working against him. After Karki openly criticized Oli during the current Secretariat meeting, Oli is now preparing to remove him from the provincial government, according to party insiders.
Karki is also a resident of Jhapa Constituency No. 5, where Oli was defeated in the February 21 election. Relations between the two leaders have reportedly deteriorated in recent months due to internal party disputes.
Secretary Dr. Rajan Bhattarai also expressed the view that the UML could not move ahead under the present circumstances.
The leaders suggested that Oli should pave the way for new leadership in light of the evolving political situation. Although Vice Chair Gokarna Bista and others did not directly demand Oli’s resignation, they indicated that he should now step aside from the leadership role.
They also suggested that the party’s first-generation leaders should voluntarily retire.
Following a snack break in the Secretariat meeting, Chair Oli is expected to respond to the concerns raised by the leaders. The meeting is also scheduled to decide on the proposed division of responsibilities presented last Monday.
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