KATHMANDU: Former Vice Chairman Dr. Bhim Rawal, who has dedicated over four decades to public service, was expelled from the CPN-UML on Wednesday.
His marginalization began after his conflict with UMl Chair KP Sharma Oli over the presidency during the 10th General Convention in Chitwan.
Since then, Rawal had been sidelined in the party, and his activities were largely confined to the Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces.
The UML had already stripped him of his party membership, citing numerous accusations.
With this expulsion, Rawal now faces several options: joining the Unified Socialist led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, forming a new political party, or staying silent for a while.
What will Rawal choose? And how does he respond to the UML’s actions? Here is a conversation with Gyanu Ghimire for Khabarhub in this context.
The CPN-UML has expelled you from the party. What are your plans now?
This decision by KP Oli is autocratic and arbitrary. It goes against the country’s constitution, the party’s statutes, and democratic principles.
I am confident that justice-loving people will raise their voices against this. For five decades, I have consistently advocated for the nation’s supreme interests, justice, good governance, and prosperity.
My voice, which is now raised for the country’s benefit, was not acceptable to him.
Oli resorted to fighting anyone and everyone for power, which contradicts the values of UML.
He silenced those who spoke out against his arbitrary actions, striving to be a sole dictator even during the general convention.
Throughout my five decades of service, I have remained steadfast in my commitment to the country’s welfare, and I remain firm now.
I will decide my next steps after consulting with the people, the party cadres, well-wishers, and anyone invested in the nation’s growth.
You haven’t explained your actions clearly. Did you meet with district workers and hold separate gatherings? Was there a reason you stood against Oli during the General Convention?
Isn’t it being questioned why I stood up during the General Convention? Why did I meet with workers and visit different parts of the country? Who gave me the right to raise these concerns?
If we’re talking about an educated person like me, someone with a background in law who rose to the presidency, why did KP Oli oppose Jhalanath Khanal and Madhav Nepal in the past?
That, too, deserves an explanation. Where did my actions harm the country or the people?
What part of my efforts was immoral according to party law? Oli should explain why he made people accused of usury members of parliament.
Was there a specific reason for opposing Oli at the General Convention?
I was never asked about my position on the land issue, but I was asked why I opposed Oli.
Everything I raised was in the party’s interest. I voiced my concerns according to my abilities during the General Convention.
However, efforts were made to prevent others from voting in my favor. Those who claim to be Marxist-Leninists tried to impose a strict, autocratic rule contrary to the party’s values.
Were the points raised by Binda Pandey and Usha Kiran Timsina valid?
Binda and Usha raised valid points. They represent the new generation of leaders who are connected to educated, progressive individuals.
Their contributions to the party are commendable. However, the question remains: Why has UML, under Oli’s leadership, drifted away from its ideological roots?
Surendra Pandey and Gokul Baskota also spoke out, and when the party was veering off track, shouldn’t they have said, “Let’s not go down this path”?
UML’s attempt to impose autocratic rule while claiming to support democracy is a contradiction.
People are supporting me because they are dissatisfied with the current state of the party, and Oli is afraid that he will lose his control.
You’ve traveled across the country, and it seems the atmosphere is shifting in your favor. Is that why you were expelled?
Yes, the growing support for me has made some people in UML anxious. The media reported that, at a recent two-day workshop, members were instructed not to speak against Oli.
The more the atmosphere turned in my favor, the more nervous people became.
Should we wait for the 11th General Convention?
There is no longer any question of staying in UML. Once expelled, you cannot remain in the party.
UML has ceased to be what it once was; it has become a left-wing organization.
Now, it is no longer Marxist-Leninist. It is simply left-wing. I can no longer stay in a party that has deviated from its principles.
Moving forward, I will consider creating new organizations, guided by the sentiments of the people, activists, citizens, and patriots who care about the country’s welfare. My thoughts and convictions remain firm.
So, in which direction has UML headed?
Since KP Oli is the Chairman of UML, it is clear that this decision came under his influence.
The idea seems to be that the two parties should unite. The issue of Marxism and Leninism is separate, but the people Oli is currently aligning with contradict the economic and socialist goals outlined in the constitution.
Clearly, this move deviates from everything the constitution stands for, and Oli has led the party into a perilous direction.
But externally, former UML vice chairs Bidya Bhandari and Bhim Rawal seem to be aligning. If they unite, could this lead UML in a different direction?
That idea has already been dismissed. It goes against the party’s policies and principles.
After being expelled from the party, it was never about me remaining in UML.
Even before this decision, I had publicly stated that I had no intention of leaving the party. But KP Oli took this action to prevent any criticism against him.
Now, it’s not about me leading UML anymore because I am no longer a member. Whether Oli’s leadership will ultimately be defeated is something for the future to decide.
As for me, I remain committed to the country and the people, and I continue to engage in discussions with my supporters.
Have you had any recent discussions with the former President?
I haven’t spoken with her recently. We did meet and talk previously, but not in recent times.
Given the evolving situation, time will tell. I hold her in high regard and have no complaints.
It seems she does not want the party to suffer or collapse. She, too, was influenced by the teachings of Madan Bhandari.
There are rumors that he might join the Unified Socialist Party. What do you think about that?
If that’s their intention, I respect it, but it is not something I am planning. I’ve heard that some of my friends believe I might join with good intentions, but that’s not the case.
The party leadership has been spreading misinformation, suggesting that if I join the Unified Socialist party, I won’t be able to compete. This isn’t true, and I have no such plans.
Have there been any recent meetings with UML leaders?
No. However, I did reach out to some leaders from the UML secretariat, including people close to Oli.
I urged them to save the country and redirect the party. I asked what was wrong and suggested that we have discussions. Various issues were raised, but nothing came of it.
I have led the party for many years and always believed in uniting the country’s power. Unfortunately, Oli’s autocratic, dictatorial style of leadership couldn’t accept this.
If the Central Committee meeting overturns this decision, would you return to UML?
No, I won’t be attending the Central Committee meeting because I am no longer a member.
What happens in that meeting is for those still in the party to decide. As I am no longer part of the committee, it would be inappropriate for me to attend.
If the issue is raised, I will respect my colleagues. Many of them are my former students, and I have great respect for them.
Regardless of their decisions, I have always acted in the best interests of the country and the people through my involvement in UML politics.
I will not be intimidated by threats or oppression and will continue to speak out against the wrongdoings committed against the nation.
What would you say to your supporters?
I urge those who care about me and the country to focus on economic and political security.
I call on them to rise against the direction KP Oli has taken the party and work toward the nation’s best interests.
Politics is not about any one person; it is about the country. This shift in direction is about the nation’s future.
People are leaving the country, and it is growing increasingly dependent. I am ready to speak out on these issues, and I hope others will join me.
What are your next steps?
I will make my decision after consulting with senior friends and intellectuals. I will move in a direction that will protect the country.
It is possible to create a party that represents everyone’s views, but I won’t rush into it.
I will take my time and base my actions on the advice of others. If the people demand that I form a party, I will consider it.
But this new party will be a true communist party, in line with the people’s interests.
There’s talk that you may be forming a regional party. Is that true?
I do not believe in regionalism. People from all over the country have supported me for raising issues on their behalf.
I appreciate this support, but I have no intention of forming a regional party.
Finally, have UML secretariat or Central Committee members supported you?
I have not been in contact with them recently. However, it is crucial to protect the country and the people.
The party has abandoned its principles, and if any of the leaders from the secretariat or Central Committee come forward to oppose the current leadership, I will respect them.
But it seems there are no such leaders left in UML. I will continue to travel across the country, listen to the people, and respect all those who stand with the welfare of the nation.
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