Leaders of the CPN-UML have stated that the House of Representatives elections scheduled for Falgun 21 are unlikely to take place. They insist that the House, dissolved on Bhadra 27, must first be reinstated.
During a discussion on Monday with Prime Minister Sushila Karki, UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet reiterated this position. “Elections must be fair, free from fear, and without fraud,” he said, “but restrictions have been imposed on leaders of our own party. Therefore, we are not confident that elections will occur on Falgun 21.”
Following the appointment of the Prime Minister, the UML parliamentary party and central committee had decided to challenge the dissolution in the Supreme Court, claiming it was unconstitutional. Former Chief Whip Mahesh Bartola and Whip Sunita Baral filed the writ petition, and the UML is pressing for a swift decision. The party has also secured the agreement of the Nepali Congress on this issue. As of Monday, signatures from 146 MPs from the two parties had been collected, and a supplementary petition will be submitted to the court on Tuesday.
While some view the reinstatement as a natural expectation following the Gen Z movement that cost the UML power, party insiders say the UML is simultaneously preparing thoroughly for elections. According to a close associate of KP Oli, mechanisms are ready to proceed with all election procedures within minutes if the situation allows. However, since the conditions for elections are not yet met, these preparations have not been activated.
“A party is a party. If Chair KP Oli blows the whistle, we can act immediately, all in one day. We must be the first party. If the government creates an environment for elections, we are ready,” said a party leader.
Internal discussions are ongoing regarding proportional representation candidate nominations, with the Election Commission setting a deadline of Poush 14 for submission of closed lists. Party leadership has instructed lower committees to prepare names accordingly.
The UML held its 11th general convention from Mangsir 27 to Poush 2, including ward and municipal mobilizations, leaving the party organizationally active and capable of facing elections. Leaders emphasize that public calls for House reinstatement are being made while internal election preparations continue.
Chair KP Sharma Oli has directed the party to be ready for elections even if they may not occur immediately: “We must be prepared in case elections happen.” The Secretariat has been given authority to make important party decisions, and all preparatory work will be handled centrally.
UML Secretary Sherdhan Rai confirmed that the party remains committed to elections, though he accused the government of engaging in propaganda rather than actual preparation. Another official noted that while internal readiness is complete, ticket allocation decisions have not yet been finalized.
Monday’s events show the UML is simultaneously pursuing reinstatement of the House and preparing for potential elections. On the same day, KP Oli, accompanied by General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel, met Nepali Congress Chair Sher Bahadur Deuba to discuss the reinstatement of Parliament. Meanwhile, Secretary Mahesh Basnet and former Chief Whip Mahesh Bartola attended a government-organized meeting on electoral preparations at Singha Durbar.
“A meeting between Sher Bahadur Deuba and KP Oli today reflects preparations for House reinstatement,” said an Oli confidant. “Signatures from 146 MPs are ready. We will submit them, signaling that the government can be formed and demonstrating that a governing majority exists.”
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