Minister for Energy, Physical Infrastructure, and Urban Development Kulman Ghising and former lawmaker Sumana Shrestha, who left the Rastriya Swatantra Party, were in discussions about moving forward by forming a single party. They are now set to go separate ways.
Ghising and Shrestha, along with Hami Nepal founder Sudan Gurung and others, were in discussions to move forward by forming a single party. However, it is now almost certain that the two will not move forward together.
In a conversation with Setopati, Shrestha confirmed that for the time being, they have decided to move forward separately.
"It would not be appropriate to disclose right now what happened and how it happened," Shrestha said, "But now he has moved ahead. I wish him all the best."
She said that they could discuss moving forward together again during the elections.
"We still have the opportunity to form an alliance during the elections. A situation might arise where everyone comes together," she said, "What I see now is that we need to move forward with clarity, but discussions centered around elections could happen again."
According to sources close to Shrestha, she was ready to accept Ghising as the chairman, but she expressed dissatisfaction after Ghising proposed former secretary Anup Kumar Upadhyaya for the leadership. Shrestha had demanded that Ghising resign from his ministerial position and focus on building the organization.
"Sumana ji suggested to Kulman Ghising, 'Let's join forces, you resign as minister. You become the chairman. Let's focus on expanding the organization,'" an associate of Shrestha said, "But he proposed moving forward under the leadership of the former secretary."
The associate said that after Ghising proposed the former secretary's name, Shrestha opined that launching a party in such a manner would undermine the Gen Z movement.
"Since this was a party being formed after the Gen Z movement, Sumana ji initially proposed that Gen Z should have the leadership," the associate said, "Gen Z members were all ready to accept Kulman's leadership, but after he proposed making the former secretary the chairman, even the Gen Z members are unhappy."
After extensive groundwork, Ghising is set to form a political party.
He has begun preparations to form the Ujyalo Nepal Party and apply for registration with the Election Commission.
Former energy secretary Anup Kumar Upadhyaya will be the coordinator of the new party. However, Ghising will not be immediately active in the party due to his current role as a minister in the government.
Preparations are underway to submit an application for party registration with Upadhyaya as the coordinator and a 51-member central committee.
Ghising, who has been leading the “Ujyalo Nepal” campaign, is now working to establish a new party. Jitram Lama, who is associated with the campaign, told Setopati that preparations are being made to submit the party registration application to the Election Commission.
"It has almost been agreed to name the party Ujyalo Nepal, and we will propose an electric bulb as the election symbol," he said.
Shrestha had suggested names like "Nepal Bikas Dal" or "Nepal Janasewa Party" instead of "Ujyaalo Nepal".
However, Ghising had insisted from the beginning on the name "Ujyaalo Nepal," arguing that it should be named after the brand associated with the removal of load-shedding.
Shrestha, however, had said that naming it "Ujyaalo Nepal" would make it seem like a personality-centric party and wouldn't foster a sense of collectivism. She was also against using an electric bulb as the election symbol.
In a Facebook post, she questioned, "Can we move toward a concept of collective leadership, moving away from a single leader, integrating all groups, classes, regions, and especially social issues? How about forming a council to guide the party instead of a leader? Instead of promoting the image of one hero, can't we be clear in ideology and action and focus on people’s issues?"
Discussions regarding the name were held on Sunday as well.
Some leaders from the Nagarik Unmukti Party, where Resham Chaudhary is the patron and Ranjita Shrestha is the chairperson, also participated in these discussions. They also emphasized naming the party "Ujyaalo Nepal."
"Some friends from the NUP also joined the discussions. They suggested that 'Ujyaalo Nepal' would be a suitable name for the party," a source said. "Since those close to Balen Shah, the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, also said that 'Ujyaalo Nepal' would be appropriate, a consensus was reached to go with that name."
