A faction within the CPN-UML has formally acknowledged the concerns raised by the Gen Z protestors, marking a significant shift in the party’s stance. Previously, the party, particularly its chair KP Sharma Oli, had dismissed the protests as mere anarchy.
This acknowledgment comes in the form of a ‘concept paper’ made public by UML dissidents, led by senior vice-chair Ishwar Pokhrel. The paper directly counters Oli’s characterization of the Gen Z movement as a regression and calls for structural reforms within the party to safeguard intra-party democracy. The timing is significant, as Pokhrel prepares to challenge Oli, who is seeking a third term as party chair, at the UML’s upcoming 11th general convention, scheduled for December 13-15 in Kathmandu.
The concept paper was presented to party general secretary Shankar Pokhrel at the UML head office.
Key Arguments of the Concept Paper
The Pokhrel faction’s concept paper presents a contrasting interpretation of the Gen Z movement compared to that of Oli and his supporters. It argues that the protests, which occurred in early September, should not be viewed as a regression from a constitutional perspective. Instead, the paper frames the uprising as an expression of public frustration and anger stemming from:
- The state’s failure to meet the needs of its citizens.
- Persistent dissatisfaction with disorder and lawlessness.
- Political opportunism.
While acknowledging that the protests on September 9 involved destructive elements, the paper emphasizes the need to understand the underlying causes of the unrest.
Acknowledging Extremist Narratives
The concept paper identifies two “extremist schools of thought” that emerged in the aftermath of the protests:
The first narrative places the entire blame on the then prime minister and UML chair, KP Sharma Oli, and criticizes major political parties and leaders, including the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress. This narrative, according to the paper, undermines the constitution and the system by exploiting leaders’ weaknesses and suggesting that political parties have achieved nothing, all leaders are corrupt, and Parliament is meaningless. The paper argues that weakening the constitutional system ultimately weakens Nepal’s independence, sovereignty, national unity, and dignity.
The second narrative, attributed to the party establishment, claims that “everything we did was right, our economic indicators were gradually improving and physical infrastructure was being built rapidly.” The paper argues that this perspective is unrealistic and misleading, as it fails to critically review the current situation and historical reality.
The paper stresses the importance of objectively evaluating the events of September 8 and 9 and taking legal action against those found guilty of wrongdoing.
Concerns over Individualism within the Party
During the presentation of the concept paper, UML Vice-chair Surendra Pandey voiced concerns about what he perceives as a growing trend of individualism within the party under Oli’s leadership. He alleged that there is an attempt to transform the UML into an “individual-centric organization,” where decisions are concentrated in the hands of a few individuals. Pandey emphasized that substantive reforms are necessary to safeguard internal democracy and prevent the party from becoming overly reliant on a single leader.
Pandey argued that this trend is contributing to a decline in the party’s appeal, particularly among younger generations. He questioned why young people would join a party where fair elections are lacking, competition is stifled, and leadership lists are imposed from the top. He cited the leadership selection process during the 10th general convention in November 2021 as an example of this issue.
Pandey advocated for imposing a two-term limit on the party chair to promote greater competition and democracy within the UML.
Criticism from Former Oli Ally
Karna Thapa, once a close associate of Oli, also criticized the party chief’s leadership style. Thapa argued that the party cannot progress under Oli’s leadership in the current political environment.
While acknowledging Oli’s role in promoting democratization within the party during the 7th general convention in Janakpur, Thapa noted that the 10th general convention deviated from those principles. He claimed that Oli instructed delegates to select leaders according to his directives, which Thapa viewed as a violation of party discipline.
Thapa emphasized the importance of creating an environment where issues can be debated openly, which he believes has not been possible under Oli’s leadership. He cited a lack of proper representation in the decision-making process, pointing to the First National Statute Convention’s decision to make provincial chairs ex-officio members of the central committee, a decision that was later allegedly undermined by favoritism in the selection of politburo members.
