KATHMANDU: Leaders of the CPN-UML are intensifying their internal campaigns ahead of the party’s 11th General Convention, with competition heating up not only for the chairmanship but also for other key positions.
As Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Senior Vice President Ishwor Pokharel prepare to face off, leaders have begun mobilizing actively to secure their roles within the evolving party structure.
The selection of General Convention representatives on November 29 is expected to influence leadership alignments, with the Oli and Pokharel factions currently locked in a struggle to secure delegates. Pokharel officially announced his candidacy for chairman on Tuesday, a decision he had hinted at during last week’s Secretariat meeting.
Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali said no other leader besides Pokharel has formally declared interest in the chairmanship.
In his video message, Pokharel emphasized uniting the party, strengthening internal democracy, and institutionalizing leadership transition. He also pledged to restore the membership of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, arguing that excluding her would be politically damaging. He stated that the party will soon publish a detailed political document for the general convention.
Yogesh and Pradeep emerging as key contenders for General Secretary
With the chairmanship battle taking shape, attention has shifted to the influential general secretary position. A strong contest is expected between Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali and Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai, although several other leaders have expressed aspirations.
If Oli and Pokharel field separate panels, competition between Gyawali and Bhattarai appears highly likely. Prithvi Subba Gurung and Gokarna Bista are also in the race.
Gyawali represents the Oli faction, and as a long-time loyalist who has supported Oli’s major political decisions, he is seen as Oli’s preferred candidate for general secretary. While leaders such as Gurung and Bishnu Rimal are also interested, Oli is reportedly planning to assign them roles such as vice-chairperson or deputy general secretary instead.
Gurung has publicly stated that if he does not secure the general secretary position, he expects to become a vice-chairperson. Rimal, another trusted figure in the Oli camp and former chief political advisor during Oli’s premiership, has faced criticism for allegedly failing to provide appropriate political counsel during the Gen-Z protests—an episode some say weakened Oli’s position at the time.
A leader close to Oli said there is a “strong possibility” that Gyawali will become General Secretary, with Gurung and Rimal likely placed in vice-chairperson or deputy general secretary roles. Gyawali himself said discussions are ongoing and that decisions will be made based on the needs of the party and the country.
From the Pokharel faction, both Yogesh Bhattarai and Gokarna Bista are eyeing the general secretary position. However, insiders say Bista is likely to back Bhattarai and settle for the deputy general secretary role if a contest becomes necessary.
“If there is a competition for general secretary, Comrade Yogesh will represent our side. Comrade Gokarna has also shown interest, but he will support us as deputy general secretary,” said a leader from the Pokharel camp.
Senior Vice President Ishwor Pokharel is reportedly preparing to elevate current Secretary Raghubir Mahaseth to the position of Deputy General Secretary. Meanwhile, Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai has said he will consult with his colleagues before deciding on his candidacy. When asked whether he is vying for the general secretary post, Bhattarai said, “We need to confront the complex situation ahead. Discussions are ongoing.”
Pradeep Gyawali—unanimously elected Deputy General Secretary at the 10th General Convention—is regarded as an ideological figure but is often criticized for closely aligning with “Oli-ism.”
He narrowly lost the 2022 parliamentary election in Gulmi-1 to Nepali Congress candidate Chandra Bhandari by 192 votes, after which his party intensified its organizational work in the district.
Bhattarai, who distanced himself from KP Oli after the NCP split in 2074 BS, has faced prolonged sidelining within the UML. He supported Madhav Kumar Nepal during the NCP dissolution but rejoined UML after the subsequent party split.
Former Prime Minister Oli once mocked him as a “dishonest boy” following Madhav Nepal’s departure. Bhattarai—now an elected lawmaker from Taplejung and a UML secretary—is considered a popular and energetic leader, known for his sharp criticism of the Maoists in Parliament.
Despite his tense relationship with Oli and exclusion from ministerial shortlists, he could attract strong youth backing in the upcoming convention.
Many within the party believe that, in a direct contest, Gyawali may have an easier path to becoming general secretary than Bhattarai, particularly with Oli likely to push for Gyawali’s victory to maintain his factional influence. However, Bhattarai’s strong grassroots and youth appeal could make the race competitive.
At the same time, Chair Oli is preparing to position current General Secretary Shankar Pokharel as the second-priority vice chairperson. Because the party has abolished the post of senior vice president in the upcoming convention, Shankar is expected to be moved from general secretary to vice president.
Challenge of managing leaders under the new structure
The UML’s newly adopted statute has significantly reshaped the party’s organizational structure, resulting in intense competition for limited leadership positions. The constitutional amendment eliminated several posts, including senior vice chairperson, and reduced the size of the central committee from 351 to 251 members.
Currently, UML has 19 office bearers, but the new statute allows for only 15. The number of vice chairpersons will shrink from six to three in the 11th General Convention. Under the revised structure, the secretariat will comprise 1 chairperson, 3 vice chairpersons, 1 general secretary, 3 deputy general secretaries, and 7 secretaries, with at least one woman required among the office bearers.
“With a smaller secretariat, reaching consensus will be challenging,” said Vice Chairperson Ashtalakshmi Shakya. “I see little possibility of unanimous elections because we must adhere to democratic principles.”
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