Political Shifts and Leadership Challenges
Kathmandu, Oct. 9 — Nepal’s two largest political parties, the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, are preparing for their central committee meetings in a rapidly evolving political landscape following the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9.
The Nepali Congress has scheduled its meeting for October 12 at the party’s central office, while the UML will hold its meeting from October 13 to 15. Both parties were previously in government, with the Congress being the largest and the UML the second-largest in the House of Representatives before Parliament’s dissolution.
The Gen Z uprising has significantly impacted their political standing, leading to a loss of reputation, influence, and authority. Despite this, both the Congress chief Sher Bahadur Deuba and UML chair KP Sharma Oli have not stepped down from their leadership roles. This makes the upcoming central committee meetings particularly significant.
Leadership Changes in the Nepali Congress
In the Nepali Congress, a leadership change is considered inevitable. The party’s statute restricts any individual from leading the party for more than two terms, which means Deuba will not be eligible to contest for the party presidency in the next term, which lasts four years.
The party’s 14th General Convention was held in December 2021, meaning the 15th General Convention should take place within this December as per the regular schedule. However, citing inadequate preparations, the party had initially planned to push the convention to next year. In the current context, there could be a special general convention before the new elections, scheduled for March 5.
UML’s Leadership and Internal Dynamics
In the UML, the recent National Statute Convention concluded on September 7, which allowed Oli to continue as party chair by removing the previous two-term limit and the age limit of 70 years. Despite growing criticism over his role in the crackdown that led to the deaths of scores of protesters, Oli has shown no indication of stepping down.
Some younger leaders are pushing for the party to respond to the Gen Z movement and the changing political reality. However, Oli loyalists argue that strong leadership is needed during the crisis and that replacing him now would be premature.
Not all young UML leaders are calling for an immediate change in party leadership. Bikash Shrestha, vice-chair of the UML-affiliated All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU), said they support an investigation into the events of September 8 and 9. He added that if the commission of inquiry formed by the interim government finds the party leadership at fault, the situation would be different. Until then, they would not push for new leadership.
UML’s Central Committee Meeting and Future Steps
UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai mentioned that the upcoming central committee meeting will address broader issues, including party leadership and restructuring. He noted that the issue of leadership change would naturally arise during discussions on reorganizing the party.
Ahead of the October 13 meeting, the UML Secretariat will meet on October 10. Following the Gen Z movement, the UML had convened its secretariat meeting for the first time on September 28. That meeting decided that another secretariat meeting on October 5 would prepare the agenda for the Central Committee meeting. However, due to continuous rainfall across the country, the secretariat meeting has been postponed to October 10.
After the party’s second National Statute Convention on September 7, which removed the previous policy of two terms and the age limit of 70 years, Oli was allowed to continue as party chair. Although some leaders expressed dissatisfaction with this decision, the majority supported Oli’s continuation.
Internal Criticisms and Reforms
But after the Gen Z movement ousted him as prime minister and his government was blamed for the deaths of 19 protesters on September 8, UML dissidents have gained strength.
Party secretary Padma Aryal stated that the upcoming central committee meeting will first analyze the recent political upheaval. She added that leadership change is a matter for the general convention, and the upcoming central committee meeting will set the date for the 11th General Convention, where “leadership change will be the prime focus.”
Central committee member Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel mentioned that the central committee meeting will also discuss why the party, while in government, received no warning of the unrest and how circumstances led to nationwide protests.
As the central committee meeting approaches, Oli held a virtual discussion with the party’s district chairs from all 77 districts. According to a UML leader who witnessed the virtual meeting, the district chairs still appear inclined to support Oli’s leadership.
“If the party fails to reform and continues to entrust its leadership to the old guard, it has no future,” the leader said on condition of anonymity. “There is an informal discussion among us about taking a firm stand against the leadership at the upcoming central committee meeting.”
