KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML has stirred fresh debate after party Chair KP Sharma Oli was conspicuously absent from posters unveiled for the 70th anniversary of the communist movement.
The party on Monday released two posters for the event scheduled on April 22 at its central office in Chyasal. Both posters prominently feature late communist leaders but exclude Oli, raising concern and curiosity among party supporters.
The posters include images of founding and influential figures such as Pushpa Lal Shrestha, Madan Bhandari, and Manmohan Adhikari. Another version also features Tulsi Lal Amatya and Sahana Pradhan. However, Oli’s absence from both designs has drawn significant attention.
This marks a stark contrast to previous party events, including the statute convention in Godavari and the 11th General Convention, where Oli’s presence dominated visual materials, including life-sized cutouts.
Observers link the shift to changing political dynamics following the Gen-Z protests in September 2025, which reportedly dented Oli’s public image. In subsequent elections held in March, UML candidates across the country largely avoided using Oli’s image or even mentioning his name while addressing voters, reportedly fearing backlash from younger voters.
Once hailed as a nationalist figure for standing up during the Indian blockade and issuing the new political map, Oli now appears to be facing a less favorable political climate.
Recent developments have further fueled speculation. Following his arrest on March 28 and subsequent release, internal discussions about leadership transition have intensified. Party General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Vice Chair Bishnu Paudel are reportedly aligning despite past rivalry, with discussions centering on a possible leadership change.
The absence of Oli from posters for a major party event, organized by the central office itself, has also raised questions about who will attend as the chief guest. The party has not disclosed the main guest, while Oli is currently resting following gallbladder surgery, leaving uncertainty over his participation.
The posters do not mention any top leaders, including the chair, general secretary, or vice chairs, nor do they list invited guests. Analysts view this as a reflection of deepening internal rifts within the party.
Sources indicate that only Vice Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa and Secretary Mahesh Basnet are firmly backing Oli, while several of his former allies are said to be shifting toward the camp favoring leadership change.
The development is particularly striking given a past party directive issued on August 17, 2024, which mandated that only Oli’s photograph be used among living leaders in party events. The decision, communicated through then Deputy General Secretary Bishnu Rimal, had institutionalized Oli’s centrality in party symbolism.
At the time, UML posters traditionally featured Pushpa Lal, Madan Bhandari, and Manmohan Adhikari, with Oli added as the only living leader. The current omission, therefore, marks a significant departure from established practice.
With the anniversary event approaching, Oli’s absence from official materials has not only surprised party ranks but also highlighted a potential shift in power dynamics within the UML leadership.
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