English Summary:
The CPN-UML has completed the selection of delegates for its 11th National General Convention in nine out of ten districts of Karnali Province, with only Mugu remaining. UML Karnali Province Vice-Chair Tekraj Pachal told Ratopati that an unusually high number of aspirants in Mugu caused delays, while selection in all other districts and the provincial committee has been finalized.
According to the party’s schedule, delegate selection was supposed to be completed on Saturday. However, only Rukum West, Jajarkot, Salyan, Jumla, Dolpa, and Surkhet-2 met the deadline. The remaining districts — Kalikot, Dailekh (both constituencies), Humla, Surkhet-1, and the Provincial Committee — finished selection on Sunday and Monday.
Most districts followed the party’s direction to select delegates through consensus, though internal competition was intense, causing delays. Rukum West was the only district to hold a formal election. Altogether, 113 delegates will represent Karnali.
Delegate Selection by District:
Dolpa
Eight delegates were selected, including Provincial Minister Sher Bahadur Budha, District Chair Lankabahadur Rokaya, and others. Among them is the controversial figure Nanda Singh Budha, previously charged with corruption for establishing a “fake school.” Despite a fluctuating political journey, he has again been chosen as a delegate.
Surkhet
Surkhet-2 selected nine delegates unopposed, including current Chair Kulmani Devkota and former Unified Socialist leader Mohan Singh Baduwal.
Surkhet-1 completed selection on Monday, choosing former minister Khadga Bahadur Khatri and others.
Jajarkot
Delegates were selected across open, women, Dalit, and youth categories, all through consensus.
Jumla
Six delegates were selected, including Shantilal Mahat, Devilal Thapa, and others.
Salyan
Representatives include District Chair Bhim Bahadur Sen and other leaders across categories.
Rukum West
A competitive election was held. Provincial Assembly Member Tulasa Malla was defeated, receiving the lowest votes among four women candidates.
Dailekh
Most difficult district for selection; finalized on Monday. Delegates include senior party leaders such as district chair Suryabahadur Shahi and others from both constituencies.
Humla
Six delegates were selected, including Jnami Bumi, Lokbahadur Hamal, and others from youth, Dalit, and women categories.
Kalikot
Nine delegates were selected through consensus, including key leaders like former Minister Kurmaraj Shahi, who once crossed the floor to support the Maoist-led provincial government.
Provincial Committee
Five delegates were selected — Provincial Chair Gulab Jung Shah, Vice-Chair Tekraj Pachal, Secretary Dhruv Shahi, and two women leaders.
Kandel Faction’s Dominance
While UML Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokharel is expected to challenge KP Sharma Oli for leadership at the national level, his influence in Karnali appears weak. Most delegates are aligned with Chief Minister Yam Lal Kandel.
Internal rivalry between Standing Committee members Yam Lal Kandel and Gorkha Bogati continues, although both support Oli at the central level.
Kandel’s faction has maintained dominance across most districts:
- In Humla, 5 out of 6 selected delegates support Kandel.
- In Salyan, Rukum West, and both constituencies of Surkhet, Kandel’s group remains strong.
- In Dolpa and Dailekh, Kandel’s influence is also prominent.
Only a few delegates — such as Bhim Bahadur Rawat in Surkhet — are aligned with Bogati’s faction.
Even within the Provincial Committee, four out of five delegates are considered close to Kandel.
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