Not a single member raised the issue of Chairman KP Sharma Oli's resignation during the CPN-UML secretariat meeting held on Monday.
Recently, a debate on party restructuring had emerged within the UML. Citing the party's unexpected defeat in the elections held on March 5, a signature campaign had also been launched to demand a special general convention.
Intellectual Council Chairman Gajendra Thapaliya, Youth Federation Deputy General Secretary Upendra Shahi, and ANNFSU Deputy General Secretary Kamal Joshi had started collecting signatures to push for a special general convention.
Vice-chairman Bishnu Paudel, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, and other leaders had assured those calling for a special general convention that party restructuring would be discussed in the secretariat meeting chaired by Chairman Oli himself.
However, an office-bearer revealed that there was no mention of Oli’s resignation during Monday’s secretariat meeting, which lasted nearly five hours.
"There was an extensive discussion on strengthening and moving the party forward. Today, a decision was made to renew the membership of former vice-chair Bidya Devi Bhandari," the leader said. "But no one raised the issue of Oli's resignation."
The leader added that the matter might be discussed in the upcoming secretariat meeting.
"The next meeting of the secretariat has been scheduled for May 22. Chairman Oli's resignation might be discussed there," the leader said.
According to UML Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatta, General Secretary Pokharel presented 11 agenda items during Monday’s meeting.
According to him, the agenda for discussion includes determining the hierarchy of office-bearers, evaluating the performance and activities of the government formed after the March 5 general election, renewing and expanding party memberships, allocating responsibilities to office-bearers and members, and forming a constitutional suggestion task force.
Similarly, the agenda features the formation of a task force to prepare an election review report, construction of the party office building, formation of a steering committee for the Policy Study and Research Institute, nomination of members to the organization department, and various proposals.
"Today's meeting decided to grant membership to Bidya Bhandari. The next meeting will be held on May 22 at 11 a.m.," Bhatta said.
