Internal divisions inside the CPN–UML have become more visible as the party moves closer to its 11th General Convention. In Koshi Province, the establishment and rival factions faced each other directly during the selection of delegates. While most hill districts settled their representatives through consensus, several Tarai districts saw competitive voting with both sides fielding full panels.
UML Koshi Province Chair Ghanashyam Khatiwada said delegates in Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Khotang and Solukhumbu were chosen unopposed. But Dhankuta and Okhaldhunga reported disputes—one involving torn ballot papers and another involving a vote count that exceeded the total number of ballots cast. Both the KP Sharma Oli-led establishment faction and the Ishwar Pokharel-aligned group say they secured strong numbers in districts where elections were held.
Pokharel Faction Sweeps Morang-6 as Oli Retains Stronghold in Jhapa
In the home district of Pokharel ally Binod Dhakal, many delegates aligned with his camp were elected. Morang Constituency-6 delivered a complete win for the Pokharel faction. Dhakal received 1,527 votes, the highest in the constituency.
His panel members—Pitakumar Shrestha with 1,289 votes, Ramesh Pokharel with 1,286 and Satyanarayan Chaudhary with 1,276—were also elected. Women and youth representatives from the same side—Sarawati Bhandari (1,158), Sarawati Kharel (1,264) and Santosh Ghimire (1,118)—secured their seats as well.
In Jhapa, the home district of party Chair KP Sharma Oli, his faction maintained a strong lead across multiple constituencies. Jhapa-1 elected six Oli-aligned delegates: Raju Pokharel, Asaru Rajbanshi and Laxmi Rai in the open category; Rama Bhandari and Januka Oli in the women’s category; and Deepak Baral as the youth representative.
Jhapa-4 chose Roshan Thopra, Rabindra Lamsal, LP Sawa and Himbahadur Karki (open), along with Krishnamaya Bhujel and Goma Rizal (women) and Roshan Subedi (youth).
Jhapa-3 elected Chhabilal Chudal, Trilochan Sapkota and Basanta Baniya (open), with Kalpana Regmi and Shantadevi Kharel (women) and Agni Prasad Sapkota (youth).
Jhapa-5 again gave a majority to the Oli camp, electing Ambikaprasad Khanal, Shiv Dhungel, Home Bahadur Thapa and Tulsi Karki (open); Ambika Devi Adhikari, Narbada Upreti Gautam and Lila Dhungel Dahal (women); and Yuvraj Paudyal “Vibash” (youth).
In total, Jhapa will send 38 delegates—including two Dalit representatives—to the General Convention, with 36 seats decided through voting after Dalit positions were finalized unopposed.
Ilam Completes Delegate Selection Through Full Consensus
Unlike other districts, Ilam selected all its representatives through complete consensus. From Ilam-1, the open category includes Udaybahadur Rai, Umesh Gurung, Kajiman Kagate, Khambasing Limbu and Deepak Kumar Thebe.
Tika Paudel Neroj was chosen as the youth representative, while Umadevi Sunuwar, Shakuntala Lepcha and Sabitra Shiwa were endorsed in the women’s category. In Ilam-2, delegates selected through agreement include Suhang Nembang, Keshav Kumar Dhaurali, Ganesh Prasad Baral, Dipendra Khanal, Mahesh Basnet and Hemant Rai in the open category.
Dalit representative Devendra Bishwakarma was chosen unopposed. Youth representative Ram Prasad Subedi and women delegates Tika Devi Ghimire, Dilkumari Limbu and Pabimaya Rai were also endorsed unanimously.
