The CPN-UML is celebrating the party’s 77th establishment day on Wednesday.
The party considers itself the mainstream successor of the Nepali Communist movement, which was established on April 22, 1949.
The anniversary event is taking place at the party's central office, with Chairman KP Sharma Oli also set to attend. This marks Oli's first public appearance since being released on bail following his arrest on charges of causing death due to negligence during the Gen Z movement.
UML leaders and cadres are reflecting the party's internal power struggle by sharing different versions of the event’s posters on social media.
On Tuesday, the UML central office released a poster for the anniversary that notably excluded Chairman Oli's image. This was the first time an official poster for a party event did not feature his photo.
General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel, who has recently distanced himself from Oli and begun seeking alternatives to his leadership, shared the poster on Facebook.
Bishnu Rimal, who is considered close to Oli, and several other leader and cadres also shared that version.
On Tuesday evening, the UML central office released another poster on social media – this time featuring Oli’s image.
On Wednesday morning, Secretary Mahesh Basnet shared that poster to offer his wishes on the party’s anniversary.
The same morning, Vice-chairman Bishnu Paudel posted the version without Oli’s photo, further exposing the deepening power struggle within the UML.
This is a significant shift, considering that in 2023, the UML had issued a circular mandating that party events feature only Oli’s photo among living leaders.
The very leaders who once pushed for that mandate are now signaling a changing dynamic within the party by omitting his image.
On Wednesday morning, Sujita Shakya also shared the poster without Oli's photo despite being a long-time loyalist to the establishment faction. Shakya is a former politburo member and the wife of General Secretary Shankar Pokharel.
UML Secretary Rajan Bhattarai and Sherdhan Rai also share the poster without Oli’s photo to offer their wishes.
