“They didn’t gain wisdom for 15 years, what more can we expect now! UML can only move forward with new leadership,” is the statement of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari. She made this comment against the backdrop of former Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun returning to politics, stating that the cadres have become frustrated with Prime Minister and party chairman KP Sharma Oli and that a new way of thinking has been created to save UML. A close source says, “Bhandari is clear that KP Oli’s leadership will not be tolerated.”
Now KP Oli should hand over the command of the party to others without any kind of request, prejudice or condition. If he is unwilling or unable to do so, then there will be no option but to compete in the general convention. According to UML leaders, Krishna Dahal of Hetauda is currently number one on the list of those encouraging Vidya Bhandari to move forward. Apart from Krishna, who has a very good hold in Bagmati Province, his faction’s provincial secretary Nawaraj Silwal and deputy secretary Bhakta Kumari Lama have also been encouraging Vidya Bhandari to continue her preparations without hesitation. They have been saying in 2083 that Oli should either leave voluntarily or be prepared to lose.
UML Kathmandu Constituency No. 4 and 7 In-charge President Krishna Rai is said to have been active since before the 2084 elections to bring Vidya Bhandari as UML President from the 2083 general convention. High-level leaders say that Karna Thapa, who has convinced Oli supporters in the far west, is also openly involved in the campaign to defeat Oli. People close to Karna say that Oli’s mission is not 2084 but only 2083.
Gulab Jung Shah, who has already become a Politburo member in the West, has been elevated to the status of a nominated central member by KP Oli. Leaders say that the anti-party forces within the party are rapidly growing, partly due to his tactic of ostracizing those who do not follow his lead.
In fact, while Bidya Bhandari was expressing her desire to keep the UML headquarters in Madannagar, Balkhu, in an interview on Asoj 23, Chairman Oli retaliated two days later by laying the foundation stone for the party office from Min Bahadur Gurung, owner of Bhatbhateni Supermarket, on the 25th. There is talk that the distance between Oli and Bhandari has widened further.
UML leaders say that Vidya Bhandari has taken the incident as a taunt by Oli. It should be remembered that ever since the UML party office was moved to the Pasang Lhamu building in Dhumbarahi, which is also connected to Kripasur Sherpa, Vice President Vidya Bhandari had expressed dissatisfaction and refused to go there. As the distance between KP Oli and Vidya Bhandari increases, the leaders understand that Shankar Pokharel is betting that he can get in between.
