Some office-bearers of the CPN-UML called for party Chairman KP Sharma Oli’s resignation during the party’s central committee meeting.
The office-bearers, who concluded that Oli has been running the party arbitrarily and that the party cannot move forward under his current style of leadership, urged him to step aside.
They also called for leadership transition so that the party could move forward.
Those making such a proposal included Vice-chairman Prithvi Subba Gurung.
Alleging attempts to run the UML like a private company, Vice-chairman Gurung said that Chairman Oli must pave the way since the party cannot function this way.
“The UML is not anyone’s private company. The party cannot be run this way. Therefore, the chairman must pave the way,” Gurung said while speaking at Wednesday’s central committee meeting.
Vice-chairmen Gokarna Bista and Raghuji Panta also objected to the current style of running the party.
They too emphasized that Chairman Oli should step aside.
Deputy General Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai was also among those calling for Oli’s resignation.
Bhattarai submitted a written proposal calling for a leadership transition.
“Deputy General Secretary Yogeshji called for Chairman Oli’s resignation both in writing and verbally,” a UML central member told Setopati.
Party Secretary and Koshi Chief Minister Hikmat Karki also criticized the leadership.
“If this attitude continues, the party will weaken further,” he said. “Provincial and local-level elections are approaching. The party cannot be taken into the elections in this condition, so the chairman must clear the way.”
Another secretary, Yamlal Kandel, said that the party can no longer move forward under Oli’s leadership.
“Under Chairman Oli’s leadership, the UML cannot move forward even for another minute,” he said.
He also raised objections to the style of conducting meetings and the decision-making process.
“That is why I say again: the chairman has no moral right to remain in office,” he said.
Secretary Rajan Bhattarai also said that the party can not move forward under the current circumstances and called on Oli to step aside.
“The party cannot be run with this style and in this manner. Now, the chairman must step aside,” Bhattarai said.
