Kathmandu — Veteran leftist leader Jhalanath Khanal has brushed aside speculation about his possible return to the CPN-UML, saying his recent meeting with party chair KP Sharma Oli was purely personal, rooted in a friendship that dates back more than five decades.
Khanal met Oli at his residence in Balkot on Tuesday evening, drawing political attention across the leftist sphere. However, he clarified that the meeting was not a prelude to political negotiations or any organizational reunion.
“Our friendship goes back to 2027 B.S. I believe that differences in opinion should never damage personal relationships. I went to meet him as an old friend, not as a political negotiator,” Khanal explained.
He also mentioned that he visited Oli to personally express gratitude for the support and concern shown by the UML chief during his family’s recent tragedy.
Personal Reasons and Political Context
Khanal’s wife, Rabilaxmi Chitrakar, sustained serious burn injuries when their home in Jhapa was set on fire during a protest on September 9. She has been undergoing treatment in India, where Khanal stayed by her side for several weeks before returning to Nepal.
According to Khanal, Oli had extended help and sympathy during that difficult time. “It is my moral duty to thank those who stood with us when my family suffered. That’s why I met him,” he said, adding that the two also shared general views about the current state of national politics.
Referring to his current state of mind, Khanal remarked metaphorically, “I am like a wounded tiger right now. What happened to me and my family was painful, but I am still standing.” He stressed that his recent engagements were part of a personal gesture, not a prelude to shifting party lines.
He acknowledged that discussions about the “reorganization of the left movement” are ongoing but said such matters should not be confused with private expressions of goodwill.
Meeting with Dahal and Continuing Gratitude
Meanwhile, Khanal is also set to meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Wednesday morning. He said this visit too is aimed at expressing gratitude rather than holding political talks. “I’m going to meet Prachanda to thank him as well,” Khanal stated, reiterating that personal relationships among political leaders should transcend partisan boundaries.
