KATHMANDU, Dec 3: As the CPN-UML gears up for its 11th National General Convention from December 13 to 15, the party has completed delegate selection across the country—some through consensus, others through fiercely contested internal elections.
This time, the results tell a striking story: several “heavyweight” leaders have faced unexpected defeats.
In Bagmati Province, Minister for Labour, Employment and Transport Jayaram Thapa failed to secure a spot. Contesting from Kathmandu Constituency 4 under the open category, Thapa finished third with 201 votes. Shreekrishna Shrestha (241 votes) and Uddhav Kharel (212 votes), the former Budhanilkantha Municipality mayor, clinched the two open seats. Thapa, known to be close to party chair KP Sharma Oli, could not hold ground in a constituency overseen by UML Bagmati Province in-charge Rajan Bhattarai.
Kathmandu-4—also the constituency of former President Bidya Bhandari—remains dominated by the anti-establishment faction. Badri Bhattarai, Bhandari’s former personal secretary, was defeated after switching groups once he realized Bhandari would not run for party chair. Oli’s official candidate, Rajan Pokharel, also lost in the same constituency.
The trend continued in Koshi Province. Provincial Assembly members Ramesh Kumar Basnet and Bijay Kumar Rai both suffered defeats in Sunsari Constituency 1. Instead, Aasharam Chaudhary, Jayakumar Rai and Murari Subedi were elected, with Subedi leading at 796 votes. Basnet and Rai, representing constituencies 1(A) and 1(B), garnered only 376 and 391 votes, respectively.
PM Deuba elected as General Convention delegate
Even Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki’s inner circle was not spared. His public relations advisor, Rabi Khanal, lost from Sunsari-1, while his personal secretary Kamal Paudel was defeated in Jhapa Constituency 5. Both had contested under the youth quota.
In Karnali Province, Rukum West Provincial Assembly member Tulasa Malla managed just 111 votes, losing to Kaushila KC and Himkumari KC, who won with 204 and 203 votes, respectively. Makwanpur district chair Shreedhar Pokharel—considered close to UML Senior Vice-chair Ishwar Pokhrel—was also defeated after securing 334 votes from Makwanpur Constituency 1. Former National Assembly member Ramchandra Rai met a similar fate with 302 votes.
In Arghakhanchi’s Shitaganga Municipality, Deputy Mayor Geeta Bhat Chhetri also fell short. From the women’s category, Deepa Acharya, Sushma Shrestha, Bishnumaya Acharya and Laxmi Gautam were elected.
Delegates for the convention have now been selected from seven provinces, districts, central departments, sister organizations, diaspora committees, special districts, contact coordination committees, the labour wing and other structures, including the party headquarters.
Several quit party after failing to secure delegate spots
Some individuals have left the UML party after failing to be selected as delegates for the general convention. Among them is Gorkhabahadur Chand, chairperson of Pancheshwor Rural Municipality in Baitadi. Expressing dissatisfaction over the delegate selection process, he quit the party.
He announced his resignation through a Facebook status, stating that he was unfairly denied a delegate position. In his post, he also criticized UML leaders Damodar Bhandari and Liladhar Bhatta, who are representing Baitadi at the convention. Chand had been elected chair of Pancheshwor Rural Municipality for two terms.
Problems in eight districts
According to the election committee, delegate selection disputes surfaced in eight districts—Okhaldhunga, Dhankuta, Tanahun, Dang, Banke, Bajhang, Rautahat and Bara—where complaints were lodged alleging that the selection process did not follow party procedures.
Around 2,200 delegates will participate in the general convention. Each House of Representatives constituency selects four delegates—one each from the open, women and youth categories.
Additionally, 354 central committee members will automatically become delegates. Another 464 automatic delegates come from the Discipline Commission (29), Accounts Commission (30), Election Commission (25) and Advisory Council (25).
The UML is holding its 11th General Convention in Kathmandu under the slogan: “Commitment to Building a Decisive National Force: Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepalis Our Destination.”
