In a significant political development within CPN-UML, senior leaders are reportedly forming an internal alliance to replace Chairman KP Sharma Oli. Party insiders reveal that Vice-Chairman Bishnu Paudel and General Secretary Shankar Pokharel—traditionally seen as Oli’s closest confidants—have now joined hands to demand a leadership change.
The move comes following the party’s "humiliating defeat" in the recent elections held after the 'Gen-Z' uprising. Critics within the party argue that Oli’s policies have been rejected by the public and that his continued leadership poses an existential crisis for UML.
Key factors driving the dispute
Tensions escalated after Oli appointed Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal' as the Acting Chairman and Parliamentary Party Leader while Oli remains in custody (following the Gauri Bahadur Karki Commission report) and subsequent medical treatment.
Leaders such as Bishnu Paudel, Shankar Pokharel, Gokarna Bista, and Yogesh Bhattarai believe the party cannot move forward under Oli’s current trajectory. Many leaders are disgruntled by Oli’s perceived favoritism toward Badal, who recently labeled internal critics as "enemies" of the party during a speech in Kaski.
Push for a Special General Convention
Dissident groups within the party have launched a signature campaign demanding a Special General Convention to elect new leadership. According to youth leader Kamal Joshi, approximately 600 out of 2,200 convention delegates have already signed the petition.
"We cannot go into the upcoming local and provincial elections with the same faces and failed policies," stated Central Committee member Samik Badal, emphasizing the need for a "ruthless review" of the party's direction.
Party establishment's response
Despite the growing pressure, the party establishment remains defensive. Office Secretary Dr Bhishma Adhikari dismissed the calls for Oli's removal as "baseless rumors," arguing that there is no provision for a Special General Convention so soon after the 11th National Convention. He maintained that the Chairman’s removal must follow proper legal and procedural channels.
However, the alliance between Paudel and Pokharel—two organizational heavyweights who have historically saved the party during past crises—suggests that a major leadership reshuffle may be imminent as the party struggles to regain its footing in the post-election landscape.
.
