CPN-UML Struggles for a Central Office Location for Over a Decade

May 18, Kathmandu – The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) is preparing to construct a central office building in Madan Nagar, Balkhu.

According to Central Office Secretary Dr. Bhishma Adhikari, construction will begin soon. He stated, “We are planning to start work within two months.”

Yesterday, on the occasion of Madan-Aashrit Day, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel announced the plan to establish the new building in Balkhu. Following his announcement, party workers expressed enthusiasm.

CPN-UML leader Krishna Rai said, “We had made many attempts to build the central office in Madan Nagar. Despite listening to businessmen’s opinions, leaders did not pay attention. Ultimately, we had to settle on this location.”

Gajendra Thapaliya, chairman of the Intellectuals’ Council, expressed his excitement on social media, saying: “This is joyful news not only for the members, well-wishers, and leaders and workers of UML but for all those inside and outside the country who support the party. We hope the building is constructed here soon and becomes the office that restores the party’s legacy.”

After the devastating earthquake in 2015 destroyed their office building in Balkhu, the CPN-UML has been searching and shifting temporary offices for ten years, facing disputes even during relocations.

Following the damage, the party moved to the office of Pasang Lhamu Foundation in Dhumbahari. This foundation, headed by Bhojpur MP Kripasur Sherpa, became a source of contention over office usage rights.

At the time, political parties strongly opposed using the foundation’s office. Sherpa was then Minister for Culture and Tourism and later KP Sharma Oli became Prime Minister. The UML operated from this office.

In Jestha 2018, UML and the Maoist Party merged to form the Nepal Communist Party (NCP). After Oli became Prime Minister, the foundation’s office remained the central office.

However, in Poush 2020, the NCP split. The Supreme Court annulled the unification, reinstating UML and Maoists as separate parties.

After restoration, businessman Motilal Dugad relocated the UML office from Dhumbahari to a relative’s house in Thapathali. Party members objected to having an office in a private house, but their protests were ineffective.

Due to parking issues related to the office, the party decided to move the office again. On April 22, 2022, the office was shifted from Thapathali to Chyasal.

The relocation to the Tulsi Lal Foundation building in Chyasal was led by Vishnu Rimal, Bharat Pahadi, Gajendra Thapaliya, Kanchan Bhatt, and Susmita Kshetri. About NPR 100 million was spent establishing the central office there.

“Approximately NPR 90 million was spent from hall construction to decoration,” said one party leader involved. “Even then, expenses did not stop. Last year, floods caused major damage, and the office was further damaged by fire during the 2022 Janajati agitation.”

Funds for repairing the fire-damaged office were also collected from expatriate organizations and government leaders.

Dr. Dineshchandra Devkota, a minister in Bagmati Province’s government, was requested for NPR 2.5 million in aid.

Although Dr. Devkota approved the aid, the Prime Minister Balendra Shah halted the release of funds and ordered the office to be vacated.

After this information became public, UML leaders were compelled to immediately find a new office, but no suitable location has been found to date.

According to party sources, “We have been trying to acquire office space near Balkhu but have yet to find any suitable options.” Despite efforts by local Kathmandu leaders, no new premises have been secured.

Controversy Over Donated Building

When the office was shifted to Chyasal on a five-year lease from Tulsi Lal Foundation, the UML had decided to build a permanent central office in Balkhu, with the foundation stone laid by KP Sharma Oli.

Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari had opposed relocating the office out of Balkhu.

However, while moving temporary offices, a decision in Ashwin 2081 BS (circa October 2024) was made to shift the permanent office out of Balkhu.

Despite objections from official authorities, then Prime Minister Oli and businessman Min Bahadur Gurung laid the foundation for the UML office building in Kirtipur.

The building in Kirtipur-2, valued at around NPR 1 billion, was to be donated by Gurung. This decision drew criticism both within and outside the party.

Party leaders opposed having the office in a donated building. Leaders holding differing opinions, including Dr. Binda Pandey and Ushakiran Timalsina, were suspended for six months, and others also faced disciplinary action.

Even though the building was to be donated, party workers were being asked to contribute funds for the construction. During the 2080 BS membership renewals, funds were collected for building construction.

Former Kathmandu UML chairman Krishna Rai stated, “More than 650,000 members were asked to contribute to build the office. However, with the plan to accept a donated building, the money raised has no accounted record and the office has not been constructed.”

In Bhadra last year, following the Janajati agitation, Min Bahadur Gurung withdrew his agreement to donate. He and Oli had reached agreement to hand over the central office before Dashain.

Thus, after ten years of searching and many controversies, the CPN-UML’s central office issue remains unresolved.

A UML leader remarked, “Nearly NPR 150 million has been spent relocating temporary offices. That amount would have sufficed to build a new building.”

He argued that since the building will be constructed with a 40-meter setback from the Bagmati River bank, the office will be spacious enough, making relocation from Balkhu unnecessary.

“The Supreme Court has ordered a 20-meter empty space to be maintained, which provides additional safety,” the leader added.