Kathmandu — Mahesh Basnet, a candidate for the secretary post at the ongoing 11th General Convention of the Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), has said that senior vice-chair Ishwar Pokharel made his own political “retirement uncomfortable” by challenging party chair KP Sharma Oli’s leadership.
Speaking to journalists at the convention venue in Bhrikutimandap, Basnet, a Politburo member contesting the secretary position from the Oli faction, said efforts were made until the final moments to bring the Pokharel group into a consensus, but the chances of agreement have now become minimal.
Basnet said Oli continued pushing for unity even during the closed session of the convention. According to him, the party chair made it clear that replacing the chairperson would not resolve the party’s problems and instead proposed flexible options to accommodate differing views.
“He suggested retaining the senior vice-chair position or even increasing the number of vice-chairs if that would help reach consensus,” Basnet said. “Despite these efforts, an understanding could not be reached.”
Basnet said that by directly challenging Oli, Pokharel had complicated his own political future. He noted that several senior leaders have chosen to move forward respectfully in the later stages of their political careers by focusing on grassroots work rather than leadership contests.
“Leaders like Yubaraj Gyawali, Asta Laxmi Shakya, Mukunda Neupane, and Keshav Badal spoke about working constructively at the grassroots in the latter phase of their political lives,” Basnet said. “Comrade Ishwar would have been better off continuing as senior vice-chair. His candidacy raises concerns about increasing internal tensions within the party.”
Basnet also said that while Pokharel has challenged the leadership, his group lacks the strength to advance through a strong grassroots-based faction. “I do not believe the Pokharel group has the capacity to build a bottom-up faction like leaders such as Madhav Nepal or Jhalanath Khanal once did,” he said.
Referring to what he described as continuous political attacks on Oli, Basnet said the party chair has been targeted for taking firm positions on nationalism, protecting sovereignty, and leading development initiatives. He said the party must therefore consolidate around Oli’s leadership.
“This movement can move forward only under KP Oli’s leadership,” Basnet said. “I filed my candidacy for the position that the chair proposed to me.” The CPN-UML’s 11th General Convention is currently underway, with leadership contests expected to determine the party’s future direction.
