Kathmandu — CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli held a nearly three-hour private meeting with Prime Minister Sushila Karki at Baluwatar on Thursday. According to sources, the discussion went beyond routine political engagement and included both personal reflections and broader political issues.
The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s official residence, with close aides from both sides kept outside to allow for an uninterrupted conversation. Oli’s chief personal secretary Rajesh Bajracharya waited in the lobby, while the Prime Minister’s press coordinator Ram Rawal also stepped out after remaining briefly during the talks.
Personal Reflections and Family Matters
Sources said the conversation began with Prime Minister Karki asking Oli about his current living situation. Rather than replying directly, Oli shared a story about a prisoner released after many years behind bars, using the narrative to reflect on difficult periods in his own life.
Oli spoke about his imprisonment following the Jhapa rebellion, the uncertainty he faced after his release, and the long period when he lacked a permanent place to live. He recalled that stability gradually returned to his life after Radhika Shakya became part of it, noting that even a single room once felt more than sufficient for them.
During the discussion, Oli mentioned that he is currently staying in the Gundoo area of Bhaktapur and said the residence there now feels cramped. He also asked about the health of Prime Minister Karki’s husband, Durga Subedi, who is undergoing medical treatment in India due to recurring health problems.
Party Organization, Judiciary, and Election Signals
As the conversation shifted toward politics, Prime Minister Karki praised the organizational discipline of the CPN-UML, saying it appeared more structured and efficient than other parties. She asked how the party had been able to maintain such internal order.
Oli responded that the party was not facing any internal crisis and said decision-making within the UML remained smooth. On the issue of election ticket distribution, he said the party would prioritize candidates with a strong chance of winning and that he did not anticipate major difficulties in the process.
Oli also recalled events from the period when Karki served as Chief Justice, including the impeachment motion filed against her by the Nepali Congress and the then Maoist Centre. He discussed how the UML had taken a clear position at the time to prevent disruption of the judicial system.
He similarly referred to the impeachment proposal against former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana, reiterating that the UML had opposed the use of impeachment as a political weapon.
Oli left the Prime Minister’s residence at around 2 p.m. People close to the Prime Minister view the meeting from two angles: first, as an effort by Oli to assess the government’s commitment to holding elections on schedule, and second, as a way to gauge the political situation amid internal disputes within the Nepali Congress that could affect the electoral process.
The UML has already mobilized its organization down to the ward level, and sources believe Oli used the extended discussion to better understand the government’s position during a period of political uncertainty.
Overall, leaders from the UML and individuals close to the Prime Minister say the meeting was aimed at easing past misunderstandings and improving political communication. While no formal decisions were announced, the lengthy and candid exchange is seen as a step toward reducing tensions between the two sides.
