Ghimire Comments on After Thapa Badal’s Selection as UML Parliamentary Party Leader: Party on Path to Disintegration

Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal, a proportional representation lawmaker, was unanimously elected as the leader of the parliamentary party of the CPN-UML. Former MP Vasudev Ghimire commented that without party reforms, the party could head towards disintegration. Ghimire had previously issued a statement opposing party chairman KP Sharma Oli’s decision to dissolve parliament. (18 Chaitra, Butwal)

CPN-UML leader Vasudev Ghimire has expressed concerns that the party may be on the path to dissolution if reforms are not undertaken. His remarks were made in response to the unanimous selection of proportional representation MP Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal as the parliamentary party leader. Candidate Suhang Nembang had also filed nomination for the post but withdrew after failing to secure proposers and supporters. Consequently, Thapa was elected unopposed.

Historically, directly elected MPs served as the party leader, but this time the appointment of proportional representation MP Thapa has sparked criticism both inside and outside the party. When Ghimire was mayor of Tilottama Municipality, he had issued a statement on official municipal letterhead opposing party chairman KP Sharma Oli’s decision to dissolve parliament. Additionally, during the public demonstrations on 23 and 24 Bhadra (the Janapradarshan or JN movement), he questioned the government’s role and had supported Ishwor Pokharel’s faction during the party congress.