Former and current chief ministers of Koshi Province, Sherdhan Rai and Hikmat Kumar Karki, have been elected as party secretaries from the 11th National Convention of the CPN-UML.
With KP Sharma Oli, a native of Jhapa, re-elected as party chair, the election of two influential leaders from Koshi Province to the secretary positions is being viewed as politically significant. Although Rai and Karki—who had both been discussed as aspirants for the secretary post within the same faction ahead of the convention—were expected to compete against each other, both were ultimately selected based on team balance and internal consensus within the party leadership.
Sherdhan Rai, the founding chief minister of Koshi Province, is regarded as an experienced and balanced leader with a long career in both party organization and government. He has served as a lawmaker and minister since 1999 (2056 BS) and later became the province’s first chief minister.
Similarly, current Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki has been continuously active in politics since the student movement. His political journey includes roles as central president of ANNFSU, in-charge of the Mechi Zone Coordination Committee, central committee member, standing committee member, and now chief minister, establishing him as a dynamic leader capable of strengthening party organization.
Political analysts say the election of both leaders as secretaries has further strengthened Koshi Province’s standing within the party. Having two chief ministers from the same province elected as secretaries is being seen as a sign of organizational balance and strong trust in Oli’s leadership.
After the convention, both leaders stated that they are part of the same team and committed to carrying out responsibilities in line with party decisions. They said they would use the responsibilities entrusted by the leadership to strengthen the organization and face upcoming political challenges.
Rai said he would always uphold the love, trust, and confidence shown by party members and remain fully dedicated and honest in working to strengthen the party, establish CPN-UML as a decisive national force, and contribute to the country’s overall development and prosperity.
Both Rai and Karki have assumed party office-bearer roles for the first time through this convention.
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