The CPN-UML has proposed returning the land donated by businessman Min Bahadur Gurung, extending its gratitude to him.
During the UML’s Secretariat meeting held on Monday, Chairman KP Sharma Oli presented a proposal to return the 10 ropani 14 aana of land provided by Gurung in Kalanki, where he had even laid the foundation stone to construct a building.
In October 2024, businessman Gurung had donated 10 ropani 14 aana of land to the UML and said that he would also construct a building for them. This had sparked a massive controversy within the UML.
Leaders Binda Pandey and Ushakiran Timsena were even suspended from their party responsibilities for six months for opposing the secretariat's decision at the time.
According to party leaders, Gurung himself has already backed away from his proposal after Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket was set on fire during the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9 last year.
Nevertheless, the UML has now decided not to accept that land and is preparing to construct its headquarters on its own land located in Balkhu. The secretariat meeting also proposed looking for a rented house until the new office building is constructed in Balkhu.
The party has concluded that following the Supreme Court's verdict, there will be no obstacles to building the office headquarters in Balkhu.
Ever since the April 2015 earthquake destroyed the UML headquarters, the party has been operating out of rented properties. Initially, it rented space at the Pasang Lhamu Memorial Foundation in Dhumbarahi, but moved out following a dispute. The foundation had asked the party to relocate, citing that a portion of the building would be demolished for the Ring Road expansion. The UML then moved into a businessman’s house at Thapathali Height on rent.
In 2022, the party shifted its headquarters to the Tulsi Lal Memorial Foundation building in Chyasal on rent.
Since the right of use was not converted into a lease, the government has already instructed the foundation to vacate the house.
