KATHMANDU, Jan 7: The CPN-UML has formally stepped up preparations for the March 5 elections, moving ahead of other political parties despite its pending case at the Supreme Court against the dissolution of the House of Representatives.
The party has begun recommending candidates, formed committees to draft its election manifesto and mobilise cadres, and is preparing for a nationwide campaign tour.
“If an electoral environment takes shape, the UML will immediately embark on a nationwide tour,” party Chairman KP Sharma Oli said after a Secretariat meeting decided to contest the elections. Party leaders said the UML has now fully shifted into election mode, even though they acknowledged that a favourable electoral environment has yet to emerge.
The party has also intensified election-related programmes across the country after the Gauri Bahadur Karki-led investigation commission, formed to probe the September 8–9 Gen Z movement, lifted area restrictions imposed on Oli.
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A Secretariat meeting held on Tuesday at the party’s central office in Chyasal formally endorsed the decision to participate in the elections. Addressing the meeting, Oli cautioned that polling may not take place simultaneously across the country and urged leaders to remain alert and mobilise party cadres accordingly. He also expressed doubts about the fairness of the polls and called on party workers to stay vigilant.
Oli warned that individuals with vested interests or those acting as brokers for foreign powers could attempt to obstruct the elections. “Some have deliberately assumed destructive roles, while others, driven by self-interest, are engaged in fraud, corruption and brokerage for foreign forces,” he said.
He further accused certain groups of advancing the agendas of international NGOs and INGOs in the name of development, alleging a conspiracy to systematically discredit nationalist forces by promoting tainted and incompetent individuals.
Referring to the September 8–9 Gen Z movement, Oli criticised Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah, who is also a senior RSP leader. Oli said they lacked the courage to portray the incidents as a “great achievement” due to the Nepali people’s strong sense of patriotism and nationalism.
During the meeting, Oli proposed the formation of an election manifesto drafting committee under his own coordination. The committee includes Vice-Chairs Ram Bahadur Thapa and Bishnu Poudel, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, leaders Ishwar Pokharel and Pradeep Gyawali, and Member Secretary Bishnu Rimal.
The party also formed an election mobilisation committee under the coordination of Vice-Chair Thapa, with members Chhabilal Bishwakarma, Rajan Bhattarai, Hikmat Karki, Ramesh Badal, Meen Bahadur Shahi and Bhishma Adhikari. Thapa, who joined the UML after leaving the Maoist party, has been entrusted with overall mobilisation. Oli said leaders who are not contesting direct elections have been assigned organisational responsibilities. Bhattarai, however, has indicated he may contest for a third time from Kathmandu-4, where he previously lost twice to Gagan Thapa.
To run the election campaign, the UML has appointed provincial in-charges: Sherdhan Rai in Koshi, Leelanath Shrestha in Madhesh, Secretary Mahesh Basnet in Bagmati, Secretary Rajan Bhattarai in the Capital, Secretary Khagaraj Adhikari in Gandaki, Secretary Padma Aryal in Lumbini, Secretary Yamlal Kandel in Karnali, and Ganesh Thagunna in Sudurpaschim. The meeting also appointed Secretary Bhanubhakta Dhakal as in-charge of the Organisation Department.
Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatt said the party has decided to deploy central committee members across all 77 districts with a geography-focused approach. “The meeting has directed office-bearers and central members to remain fully focused on the elections,” he said, adding that future responsibilities would be determined based on performance during the polls.
As part of the preparations, candidate recommendations from constituencies across the country have already been forwarded to higher committees, with only a few areas remaining. The Secretariat meeting has also authorised Chair Oli to finalise candidates for the January 25 National Assembly elections.
