Koshi Province's two prominent CPN (UML) leaders, former Chief Minister Sherdhan Rai and incumbent Chief Minister Hikmat Karki, are both eying the position of secretary in the upcoming 11th General Convention of the party, set to begin on December 13 in Kathmandu.
Both leaders, who have served as the Chief Minister of Koshi Province and are considered close to UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, are preparing to contest the election for one of the seven secretary posts. The internal competition between the two senior figures has become the talk of the town within the party, especially among leaders and cadres in Koshi Province.
While both acknowledge the desire to run for the post, they downplay the talk of a direct 'internal clash' or 'rivalry.'
Sherdhan Rai, the first Chief Minister of Koshi Province, emphasized that any decision would be based on party leadership and consensus. "Our clash will not happen," Rai stated, adding that the one not chosen for Secretary by the leadership would "automatically back out." Rai claims to be a strong candidate due to his long political career, including four terms as district party chairs, an MP, a minister, and the first Koshi Chief Minister.
Hikmat Kumar Karki, the incumbent Chief Minister, confirmed his candidacy for the secretary post but stressed that the selection process would be team-based, making the individual secondary. "We are from the same team; one should not focus on the individual," Karki said, expressing confidence that they both could win. Karki highlighted his own seniority, citing his involvement since the 2036 student movement, his tenure as ANNFSU Central President, and his continuous roles as Central and Standing Committee member. He also pointed to his recent achievements as CM, such as organizing an investment summit and reducing provincial ministries.
Despite the apparent competition for the same position, both leaders maintain that they belong to the same team and that the selection of office bearers will ideally be done through consensus, with an election serving as the standard procedural fallback if an agreement is not reached.
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