KATHMANDU: Unified Socialist Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal, who initially aligned with Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda following the dissolution of the parliament by CPN UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, found himself betrayed twice by Prachanda.
The two leaders joined forces to sideline Oli during the intra-party rift in the then Nepal Communist Party (NCP).
However, Nepal, after breaking away from UML to form a new party, faced betrayal on two occasions by Prachanda — first on December 25, 2022, and then on March 4, 2024.
Nepal, who had lent support to Prachanda in the struggle against Oli, was deeply shocked by these betrayals.
Prachanda didn’t consult leader Nepal when shifting alliances, notably when he switched from leading the Nepali Congress to joining CPN-UML.
In a surprising turn of events last year on December 26, 2023, Nepal was taken aback when Prachanda reconciled with Oli, shaking hands in Balkot.
This initial blow hit Nepal hard, especially since his fledgling party lacked national recognition.
However, he found some relief within three months as the alliance with Nepali Congress was reinstated in February 2023, alleviating some tensions for Nepal.
But Prachanda posed yet another challenge to Nepal, despite the renewed alliance with Nepali Congress breaking on December 25, 2023.
Interestingly, on March 4, one point was omitted from the 8-point statement issued by CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Center, Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Janata Samajwadi Party.
During the signing of the 8-point agreement by four parties, including UML and Maoists, on March 4, while Nepal, Oli and Prachanda sought to consolidate their power by garnering strong support.
Despite their efforts, Madhav Nepal refrained from signing the 8-point agreement.
Seeking to mend bridges, Oli visited Koteshwar to reconcile with Nepal, who was estranged due to Prachanda’s betrayal.
Alongside UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Vice Chairman Bishnu Paudel, Oli and Nepal reached an agreement to resume cooperation after reviewing past grievances.
Despite the bitterness of the past three years and Prachanda’s treachery, Nepal decided to send a minister to the new government, hoping for unity among communist forces.
After deciding on a new equation of their own accord, they reached Koteshwar to strengthen the majority of the government,” a leader close to Nepal said, “There was no written agreement in Koteshwar. But together with Prachanda and KP Oli, Madhav is now making progress. Two leaders are sitting and moving on their own accord.”
However, on March 12, five parties issued a 7-point joint statement under the auspices of the Chairman of the Unified Socialist Party, Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Interestingly, on March 4, one point was omitted from the 8-point statement issued by CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Center, Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Janata Samajwadi Party.
Madhav Nepal, who fought against UML by joining Prachanda and Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba for 3 years, suddenly became excited after the agreement.
After Oli’s arrival in Koteshwar along with the second-level leaders and the agreement on 7 points, Chairman Nepal announced that the process of unification with UML is now underway.
Chairman Nepal had even said, “I have agreed on many points with Oli; now the party can be united.”
Leaders and workers, including Unified Socialist senior leader Jhalanath Khanal, were surprised when he concluded that he agreed with Oli more than 60 percent.
Nepal’s presentation on that day was even called “unnatural” by the members of his secretariat.
After the Koteshwar talks, Oli and Nepal engaged in a one-on-one meeting.
Challenges and Divisions
In the talks held in Koteshwar, the two leaders — Oli and Prachanda — promised Chairman Nepal that the three would move forward together.
After deciding on a new equation of their own accord, they reached Koteshwar to strengthen the majority of the government,” a leader close to Nepal said, “There was no written agreement in Koteshwar. But together with Prachanda and KP Oli, Madhav is now making progress. Two leaders are sitting and moving on their own accord.”
Even during the 7-point agreement, Chairman Nepal’s position was originally slated at number five.
Upon learning of Oli and Prachanda’s attempts to obstruct Sodari’s appointment in the Sudurpaschim Province, the Unified Socialist Party withdrew its claim to the position.
However, following his expression of displeasure, a joint statement was issued with Oli and Prachanda positioned ahead.
“In the 7 point agreement, it seemed as though Madhav Nepal’s inclusion was forced, placed fifth after originally being fourth,” Deputy Secretary General Khatiwada stated.
“But after protesting, it was moved to third position, after Oli and Prachanda. Since then, there have been attempts to undermine Chairman Nepal.”
The agreement made regarding the appointment of the National Assembly Vice Chairperson from the UML was revoked.
Chairman Nepal claimed that Oli and Prachanda had initially assured the post to a member of the Socialist party.
Consequently, the Unified socialist Party took the initiative to nominate Garima Shah for the Vice Chair.
However, UML nominated Bimala Ghimire.
Unified Socialist, in the same election, abandoned its anti-UML stance for three years and voted for Ghimire.
“Both leaders initially spoke amicably, as if the Vice Chair of the National Assembly was being handed to us on a platter,” Khatiwada remarked, “but they failed to honor their commitments thereafter, raising further doubts.”
Another point of contention between Nepal, Oli, and Prachanda is the governance of the Sudurpaschim Province, particularly regarding the division of civil appointments.
Although Oli and Prachanda had agreed to allocate at least one provincial chief ministership to the Unified Socialist Party, disputes arose over civil appointments in the Sudurpaschim, with Nepal accusing Oli of manipulating to prevent Sodari from assuming the position, which was meant to alternate between unified socialists and emancipation factions.
Oli had previously dismissed Sodari as a minister during their time in the NCP, purportedly due to allegations of cultural deviation.
Chairman Nepal cautioned Oli and Prachanda not to underestimate their strength, reminding them of their past confrontations with kings and prominent leaders.
Nepal accuses Oli of colluding with the Samajwadi Party and attempting to install someone else as Chief Minister.
Upon learning of Oli and Prachanda’s attempts to obstruct Sodari’s appointment in the Sudurpaschim Province, the Unified Socialist Party withdrew its claim to the position.
However, after failing to secure the Chief Ministership from Oli and Prachanda, Nepal hastily met with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba at Budhanilkantha overnight.
Subsequently, Nepali Congress and the Unified Socialist Party rallied behind Resham Chaudhary with their support.
“In light of past experiences and the track record of certain political figures, there’s ample reason to be skeptical of this new alliance’s intentions,” Khatiwada cautioned.
“If it’s merely a power play, it could potentially destabilize the country. Therefore, we must proceed with caution and maintain a healthy dose of skepticism.”
Nepal’s absence from the CPN Foundation Day event held in Godavari, Lalitpur last week sent a clear message that they do not solely rely on Oli and Prachanda. Jhalanath Khanal of the Unified Socialist Party, allegedly went to a resort in Dhulikhel, citing an important meeting, to conceal his absence from the Godavari event.
However, upon arriving in Dhulikhel after skipping the Godavari event, he found no scheduled program, leading to speculation that he is not inclined to blindly follow Oli and Prachanda, according to a member of his secretariat.
During a program held in memory of CPN founder Nar Bahadur Karmacharya in Chyasal, Chairman Nepal openly expressed his discomfort with the current ruling coalition, stating that he did not enter politics to endure threats and insults from anyone.
He also voiced suspicions about the stability of the alliance.
Earlier, while inaugurating a suspension bridge on the Lalbakaiya river in Gaur Municipality-2 of Rautahat, he issued a stern warning that he would not tolerate disrespect.
Chairman Nepal cautioned Oli and Prachanda not to underestimate their strength, reminding them of their past confrontations with kings and prominent leaders.
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