KP Sharma Oli: Signature Collection for Special General Convention Halted—Will Leadership Change Efforts Also Stop?
Photo source: Oli’s Secretariat
The signature collection campaign, which caused significant stir within the Nepali Congress party just a month ago, has now reportedly been halted according to party leaders.
Following a major defeat in the parliamentary elections, leaders affiliated with the party’s affiliated organizations began collecting signatures to call a special general convention aimed at leadership change.
The party’s founding faction had accused KP Sharma Oli, the party chairman, of openly spreading rumors of leadership change while under police custody.
Acting Chairperson Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ and other office bearers invited some individuals involved in the signature campaign for discussions.
Gajendra Thapaliya, Chairman of the Nepal Intellectual Council, who was present in the meeting, said that the leaders received assurances that formal discussions would proceed through the committee, and thus the process is currently on hold.
“We concluded that some kind of transformation is definitely necessary, but decisions will be taken through the party’s official meetings,” said Thapaliya. “Due to the chairman’s health, no meeting has been possible since his release from police custody.”
How is Transformation Possible within UML?
Photo source: AFP via Getty Images
According to the UML party constitution, if two-thirds of the district committees or a majority of the National General Convention representatives submit a written request for a special general convention, a meeting must be called within six months.
If the Central Committee does not call this special convention, the requesting committee or National General Convention representatives themselves are authorized to organize it, as stipulated in the constitution.
However, Vice-President Prithvi Subba Gurung has stated there has been no discussion about whether a special general convention will be held for leadership change or whether Chairman Oli will voluntarily step down.
“The party and movement have suffered a major blow, and there is strong demand for restructuring internally. This situation needs management,” said Gurung. “However, as the chairman is still ill, no meeting has been convened.”
The constitution also prohibits the party’s Central Committee, Politburo, Standing Committee, or Secretariat from removing leadership elected through the convention.
Gurung explained that discussions on party restructuring must be placed on the Central Committee’s agenda to begin. “Although there is no provision to remove leaders, a discussion alone would create moral pressure. However, no such agenda has yet been prepared,” he noted.
Gurung further said that the upcoming meeting will review elections and the party’s past decade of activities, during which they will discuss what modifications or restructurings are necessary in organization, leadership, policy, and working style. He describes such comprehensive change as the UML’s ‘overall transformation.’
Leaders Close to Oli Begin Turning Away
Photo source: NurPhoto via Getty Images
Previously, leaders close to Oli stood firmly behind him, even after the party’s devastating election loss and during protests.
However, dissatisfaction began to surface after Oli’s arrest when Ram Bahadur Thapa assumed the role of acting chairperson. Thapa, also leader of the parliamentary party, has been seen intensifying tensions through his speeches in parliament.
Shankar Pokharel, General Secretary and trusted Oli confidant, along with Vice-President Vishnu Paudel, are reported to be involved in discussions about leadership change, although they have made no public comments.
Leaders such as Vice-President Prithvi Subba Gurung, a staunch supporter of Oli and the previous government, are also said to openly support leadership change.
According to insiders, during discussions with some district chairpersons in the presence of General Secretary Pokharel, Gurung expressed the view that “continuing to carry the chairman is no longer effective.”
“I didn’t openly make such comments just focused on elections,” Gurung explained, “but now the time demands it. Simply changing the face won’t suffice; the entire organization and working style need to be addressed.”
Previously, Ishwar Pokharel, Surendra Pandey and others had formed separate panels at the general convention to try to remove Oli. Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari had also openly expressed the opinion that Oli should relinquish leadership.
How Natural Is Oli’s Exit?
With opposition leaders becoming more active, Oli is believed to be under increasing pressure.
Central leaders had been hoping that Oli would voluntarily step down.
According to Gajendra Thapaliya, who led the signature collection, Chairman Oli can unify the party and voluntarily usher a successor forward. He also sees a second option for the committee leadership to resolve the issue by using alternative arrangements stipulated in the constitution.
“If that is not possible, the special general convention remains the only option,” he said. “But it seems party leaders, realizing the gravity, may avoid that path.”
Because a special general convention risks a humiliating exit for the leadership, Oli’s close associates are reportedly trying to persuade him toward a different solution.
“I believe that scenario won’t occur,” Vice-President Gurung said. “Even during a special general convention, whether it’s generational turnover or leadership handover, the agenda will be made and discussions held accordingly.”
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