As the CPN–UML’s General Convention scheduled for December 12–14 (Mangsir 27–29) approaches, the party is clearly heading toward an internal showdown between two major factions. Senior leaders have begun openly aligning themselves with competing panels.
One panel is led by party chairman KP Sharma Oli, while the opposing panel is being prepared under senior vice-chairman Ishwar Pokharel. Both leaders have already announced their intention to contest for the party chairmanship.
Prominent leaders including Guru Baral, Ram Bahadur Thapa, Shankar Pokharel, Pradeep Gyawali, Prithvi Subba Gurung, Bishnu Rimal, and Padma Aryal have aligned with Oli.
Pokharel’s side, meanwhile, includes Yubaraj Gyawali, Astalaxmi Shakya, Surendra Pandey, Yogesh Bhattarai, and Gokarna Bista.
Some leaders such as Bishnu Paudel, Chhabilal Bishwakarma, and Raghuvir Mahaseth have not publicly taken sides, though UML insiders say they will likely back Oli. According to party sources, up to 80% of central committee members support Oli.
Former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari is expected to fully support Pokharel. In a recent appeal, Bhandari urged UML members to ensure balanced representation during the selection of convention delegates. She also stated she would not attend the convention in person due to the leadership withholding her renewed party membership, but affirmed that she remains part of the UML “family.”
Although UML had planned to complete delegate selection by Mangsir 13, disputes in some areas caused delays, extending the process until Mangsir 15. With most selections completed, both factions are now calculating how many delegates are aligned with them.
A UML official who has not sided with either group told Ratopati that both factions are busy analyzing their internal numbers. Pokharel’s group believes that despite Oli having more visible representatives, secret voting may produce different results, as delegates are not obligated to vote along factional lines.
However, Oli’s faction argues that around 80% of delegates are aligned with them, making Pokharel’s candidacy largely symbolic.
Pokharel Camp More Energetic
After delegate selection mostly concluded on Mangsir 15, Pokharel’s faction held a meeting in Thapagaun to assess its internal numbers and discuss candidate positions. Leaders including Yubaraj Gyawali, Astalaxmi Shakya, Surendra Pandey, Gokarna Bista, and Yogesh Bhattarai attended.
They also explored bringing Bishnu Paudel and Prithvi Subba Gurung onto their panel, but both appear committed to contesting from Oli’s side. Pokharel’s camp had considered proposing Gurung for General Secretary, but after he declined, the group is now considering Surendra Pandey, Yogesh Bhattarai, or Gokarna Bista for the post.
Gurung recently announced publicly that he is a General Secretary candidate, though Oli’s faction is reportedly planning to put him forward as a Vice-Chair candidate.
Delegate List Due by Mangsir 17
According to party organization chief Kashi Nath Adhikari, all provinces must submit their final delegate lists to the central office by the evening of Mangsir 17. Nearly 2,200 delegates—both elected and centrally nominated—will vote to choose the new leadership during the General Convention.
Some delegates have been elected through formal voting, while others were selected through mutual agreement between the Oli and Pokharel factions.
Youth Leaders Reluctant to Compete
Despite widespread calls for party reform following the Gen-Z movement, the UML remains the only major party where younger leaders are not stepping forward for leadership. Instead, most youth leaders are working to elevate either Oli or Pokharel—both in their 70s.
A young UML leader told Ratopati that although leadership renewal is being demanded nationwide, no young leader has shown the courage to challenge Oli or Pokharel. As a result, the party remains dependent on senior leaders, with limited willingness to embrace generational change.
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