Kathmandu, 29 Sep: For the first time, a demand for Chairman KP Sharma Oli’s resignation was raised during the CPN-UML Secretariat meeting held on Sunday at Oli’s residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur. Following the Gen-Z movement, several members argued that Oli’s political relevance and justification as party chairman had ended. They urged him to step down as chair and take on a guardian’s role instead. While acknowledging the achievements and shortcomings of his government, they suggested that Oli should now oversee the party in a guiding capacity. However, Oli appeared determined to settle the leadership issue only through the upcoming party convention.
Bhattarai Pushes for New Leadership Transition
During the meeting, UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai strongly advocated for a leadership change, stating that the only option now was for Oli to “stop and step down.” He proposed that Senior Vice-Chairman Ishwar Pokharel should lead the party until the next general convention. Bhattarai emphasized that UML’s future could not rely on outdated leadership, and new leadership debates had begun inside the party. Many Secretariat members agreed, warning that without leadership change, the party’s political future faced severe challenges. Bhattarai also admitted that all leaders, not just Oli, shared responsibility for the successes and failures of past decisions.
The meeting also reflected on the Gen-Z movement, the physical and human losses during protests, the role of the former government, and the party’s future direction. Members stressed the need for self-criticism and even issuing an apology for mistakes made during the protests.
Divisions in Leadership Debate
The nearly five-hour-long meeting saw all Secretariat members put forward their views. Apart from Vice-Chairman Guru Baral, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, and Deputy General Secretaries Pradeep Gyawali and Bishnu Rimal, most members concluded that the party could not move forward under Oli’s leadership. Senior Vice-Chairman Pokharel, Yubaraj Gyawali, and Surendra Pandey—already critics of Oli—stated that the public no longer accepted his leadership. Vice-Chairpersons Bishnu Poudel and Astalaxmi Shakya also echoed that while leaders may accept Oli, the people had rejected him.
General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and some others, however, argued it was unfair to question leadership at this moment and said the issue should only be debated during the general convention.
The Secretariat, which has 18 members, decided to continue discussions in another meeting scheduled for October 5 and 6 (Ashoj 19–20). Deputy General Secretary Yubaraj Gyawali informed that the Central Committee would also meet on October 13 and 15 (Ashoj 27–29) to decide the way forward, including the possibility of calling a party general convention.
