Kathmandu, — Prime Minister and current CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has made it clear he’s not ready to step aside. As the party moves toward its 11th General Convention, Oli has said he’s still got the energy, drive, and leadership strength to guide CPN-UML forward — just as he has in the past.
At a Politburo meeting held on Saturday, Oli called for scrapping the party’s age and term limit rules, arguing they no longer make sense in today’s political context. Now 72, Oli said he feels as energized as ever and often puts in 18-hour workdays. While he stressed he isn’t clinging to power, he also left little doubt that he intends to stay in charge.
Reflecting on Past Turning Points
During a nearly three-hour speech at the meeting, Oli revisited key moments in his political career — particularly after the death of General Secretary Madan Bhandari. He recalled how several senior party members had asked him to step up and lead at that difficult time.
“Madan’s funeral was still underway at Pashupati Aryaghat when some of our colleagues pulled me aside and said, ‘You have to lead the party now,’” Oli told the gathering, according to a Standing Committee member. “Some of those very people are still with us today.”
Back then, Oli ranked fifth in the party hierarchy, while Bhandari was second and Jibaraj Ashrit — who also died in the accident — was fourth. Madhav Kumar Nepal, then third in seniority, was eventually named General Secretary, with Manmohan Adhikari remaining as party chair.
Oli also recounted internal calls for new leadership between 1995 and 1997, when dissatisfaction with Nepal’s performance as General Secretary began to grow. At Saturday’s meeting, Surendra Pandey pointed out that it was Bamdev Gautam who led one such effort — a claim backed by several senior members, including Yubaraj Gyawali, Amrit Bohora, Mukunda Neupane, and Bishnu Paudel.
Despite the pressure, Oli said he chose not to pursue the role, prioritizing party unity over personal ambition. He also mentioned a push in 1997 when Gautam nearly split the Central Committee evenly through a signature campaign.
He shared another key moment from 1998, when the party eventually split. Again, he said, he was encouraged to take the lead — but opted to continue backing Nepal.
A Stand on Leadership and Bidya Bhandari’s Role
Oli also spoke about the efforts he made to democratize the party, starting with proposals he brought to the 7th General Convention. Though those ideas were initially set aside, he said they eventually took form in the 8th Convention, where he coordinated the drafting of a new leadership model with multiple key positions — something he said was crucial for the party’s evolution.
“I’ve stood by my principles since the 7th Convention,” Oli said. “When I became chair after the 10th, it was because of the situation. I’ve got nothing left to gain personally — I’m working 18 hours a day for the party. So stepping down just doesn’t make sense right now.”
He also addressed the potential political comeback of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, making it clear that he’s not in favor. Oli said someone who has served as the ceremonial head of state and military should stay above party politics.
“In my view, it’s not appropriate for someone who’s held such a respected constitutional role to return to active politics,” he said. “It’s about more than just party dynamics — it’s about our commitment to democratic norms and systems.”
Oli defended the decision to remove age and term limits as a practical step, given Nepal’s current political challenges. He even joked that if his 14 years in jail were subtracted from his age, he’d effectively be 60 — the age he says he still feels like.
“If we take off those 14 years, I’m basically 60,” he said with a laugh, which drew chuckles across the room. Those present say the comment reflected Oli’s usual mix of humor and serious messaging — a hallmark of his political style.
Following the meeting, Oli reportedly spoke with former President Bhandari at the party’s central office in Chyasal, reaffirming his belief that she should remain outside active politics.
Now, all eyes are on the CPN-UML Central Committee, which begins its meeting today. Party insiders believe it will shed light on what comes next for Oli — and whether Bhandari plays any future role in the party.
