KATHMANDU — The CPN (UML) appears increasingly divided as senior leaders take opposing stances on whether to push for reinstating the dissolved House of Representatives. As the party’s 58th Secretariat meeting begins Friday at Chairperson KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, clear differences have emerged.
While Oli has indicated his intent to revive the dissolved parliament, several senior members view the proposal as politically misplaced and untimely. At a public event in Bhaktapur on Thursday, Oli said that restoring the parliament dissolved “unconstitutionally” was the only way to put the country back on a legitimate democratic path.
“We have no alternative. The parliament must be reinstated to save the system,” Oli said, hinting that the UML could launch public protests if necessary. He also expressed confidence that the Nepali Congress and other parties would join the same campaign. “I believe the Congress will also move in this direction. There is no other way to defend democracy,” he added.
Internal Division and Party Leadership Debate
Insiders say Oli plans to present a formal motion on reinstatement during the two-day Secretariat meeting. However, senior vice chair Ishwar Pokharel, vice chair Surendra Pandey, and secretaries Yogesh Bhattarai and Gokarna Bista are expected to oppose the idea.
According to party sources, several members are preparing to submit a note of dissent if Oli forces the motion through. “We will not back the restoration line,” one Secretariat member said. “If necessary, we will record our opposition in writing.”
Oli’s supporters, including general secretary Shankar Pokharel, deputy general secretary Pradeep Gyawali, and vice chair Guru Baral, argue that UML should lead efforts to correct the “unconstitutional dissolution.”
Others maintain that reviving the House would deepen instability and that the party should instead focus on the elections scheduled for February 21 (Fagun 21). “We must move toward elections, not back into constitutional confusion,” said a senior leader.
While Oli believes the Congress will eventually align with his stance, the party’s internal discussions suggest otherwise. Except for Krishna Prasad Sitaula, most Congress leaders, including Bimalendra Nidhi, have said that restoring the House is not currently on their agenda.
Alongside the House issue, calls to reorganize the UML are also growing louder. Those opposing reinstatement are reportedly uniting around a proposal urging Oli to step down for internal renewal.
According to insiders, leaders such as Bishnu Poudel, Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal,’ and Lekhraj Bhatta may support a leadership reshuffle before the party’s general convention, which Oli plans to hold by December.
Observers view the current rift as a defining moment. If Oli pushes the restoration agenda without consensus, it could deepen internal division ahead of the general convention. Uncertainty also remains over whether the February elections will proceed as scheduled, amid limited dialogue among major political forces and differing interpretations of the constitutional situation.
