NCP UML: Are Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’s Controversial Remarks Personal or Approved by Chairman KP Sharma Oli?

Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, Vice President of the NCP UML and leader of the UML parliamentary party in the House of Representatives, has again sparked dissent within his party following his remarks on Wednesday. During a formal address after seeking time in the House, Thapa made numerous aggressive statements filled with suspicion and accusations regarding the government and the country’s sovereignty. Speaking about the government formed by the National Independent Party (RASWAPA), which secured nearly a two-thirds majority in the general elections, Thapa stated, “Some geopolitical analysts claim that the source of this government’s power lies in three ‘A’s – Army, Algorithm, and America.” Subsequently, RASWAPA lawmaker Samiksha Baskota strongly opposed Thapa’s remarks, labeling them as disrespectful to public opinion.

Are Thapa’s statements the official stance of the UML? Attempts were made to get reactions from UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli’s close associates and various officials considered his critics. They claimed to be unaware of Thapa’s remarks and were unable to comment. UML Deputy General Secretary Raghuvir Mahaseth also said he was uninformed on the matter. However, after learning the key points of Thapa’s address, Mahaseth remarked, “This diverges from our party’s direction.” Thapa had made similar comments during the first meeting of the House of Representatives on Chaitra 19 (early April). He had stated, “…primarily, institutions and figures like the Nepal Army, administration, Sushila Sarkar, Karki Commission, and the Barbara Foundation played decisive roles in this victory,” referring to RASWAPA’s win. He added, “Those who make this magical victory decisive from an external perspective—invisible powers, TOB, AI, algorithms, Goebbels…”

Amid such party controversy, the following day the UML secretariat meeting issued a “clear” position on the matter. The meeting chaired by Thapa reportedly had a “serious discussion regarding his remarks.” The decision stated, “The meeting agreed that our party’s relations with the Nepal Army, other security agencies formed according to the country’s constitution and laws, civil bureaucracy, and the international community remain as friendly as before and will be strengthened further.” The meeting also extended congratulations to the victorious lawmakers, the Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers while respecting the mandate expressed through elections. Furthermore, thanks were expressed to all organizations directly and indirectly contributing to voters and the conduct of the elections.

However, the same style of remarks from Leader Badal reappeared in the House of Representatives recently. According to political analyst and writer Jhalak Subedi, those remarks are not only Thapa’s personal views but have come with the approval of UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. “That is the party chairman Oli’s line,” Subedi says. “Ram Bahadur Thapa may genuinely believe in it, but he is expressing the chairman’s views.” When Thapa made similar statements previously, Oli was hospitalized after police arrested him. That was when the UML secretariat tried to correct Thapa’s remarks.

Subedi is confident that “Thapa’s address was prepared in consultation with Oli.” “Now that a rift appears between the chairman and general secretary, Thapa’s comments have re-emerged,” she analyzes. “Behind this is likely Oli’s intention to assert his political relevance and justification in society.”

However, UML Deputy General Secretary Raghuvir Mahaseth argues that Vice President Thapa does not represent Chairman Oli’s views. Mahaseth believes that Thapa still fails to grasp the essence of ‘People’s Multiparty Democratic Revolution’ (Jwaj). “The strategy he had during the Maoist era has not yet been completely removed from his mind,” Mahaseth explains. “The party chairman has played some role in constructing Jwaj, so Ram Bahadur Thapa’s statements are made personally, not under the chairman’s advice.”

Mahaseth also expressed concerns that the Jan Andolan (People’s Movement) had been misused to plan activities such as arson. Specifically, he acknowledged weakness in the army’s role regarding the events of Bhadra 24 (early September). However, he asserted the party does not endorse discrediting national security agencies or linking various groups to election outcomes. “Either we should have boycotted the elections, or having participated and accepted the results, repeatedly making such claims against the people’s expressed will is his fault,” he said. “The UML can ask him for an explanation.” Thapa has alleged that weapons are being stored in Tibetan monasteries in Nepal, stating, “Some researchers claim that Tibetan monasteries are amassing significant power, while others suspect that weapons looted in Bhadra are hidden there.” He further claimed that Nepal is a “contested sphere manipulated by great powers.” Additionally, he accused “serious deviations in the government’s foreign policy and national security strategy.” “There is widespread concern whether Nepal is dangerously moving toward Sikkimization,” stated UML leader Ram Bahadur Thapa.