KATHMANDU, Sept 29: CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has declared the party’s third Central Committee plenary meeting a “cut-off date” and warned that he will no longer pardon any form of factionalism, indiscipline or disorder within the party.
Addressing secretariat members from Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Valley Special and Liaison Coordination provinces virtually, Oli said the party’s internal differences had now been resolved.
Referring to past efforts to remove him as party chair in the name of reorganization, Oli called the activities “criminal” and said the party should put them behind and focus its full strength on the upcoming local elections and organizational expansion.
“Attempts were made in the past to remove the chair in the name of reorganization. That was a criminal activity. All those weaknesses before the Central Committee are forgiven,” Oli said. “But there will be no forgiveness now. Anyone who acts against the party’s policy and discipline, spreads disorder or makes statements that please the opposition will face strict action.”
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Oli identified restoring democracy and preparing for the local elections scheduled for April as the party’s two main priorities.
“We will focus on the elections and win,” he said. “The mass organizations are inactive, and they will now be reorganized. We will not move toward any representative council meeting. This is the time to prepare for elections, not to engage in internal fighting.”
Oli also warned party leaders against abandoning their assigned areas and moving around like “tourists.” He said leaders could not fulfill their responsibilities by staying in Kathmandu or other places offering greater comfort.
“Leaders and cadres will now be evaluated not on the basis of seniority but on their work and performance,” he said. “Change yourselves and learn courtesy and humility. Go among the people with confidence and build trust by presenting a clear plan and policies for developing the country.”
Oli ruled out the possibility of a party merger with any other political party, calling such discussions a waste of time. He said electoral alliances or issue-based cooperation with other forces could be possible, but there was no need to discuss party mergers and become entangled in unnecessary complications.
Oli also claimed that a planned conspiracy was underway to push the country’s economic, political and cultural conditions backward. He expressed concern over the incidents of September 8 and 9 last year, including arson targeting national property, Singha Durbar and private residences.
He said the country had fallen into crisis due to unconstitutional steps, but the UML would provide firm leadership to return the country to democratic procedures and the constitutional track.
Referring to the losses the party suffered in the February elections, Oli attributed them to external attacks, planned destruction and internal weaknesses within the party. He said the UML would launch a digital campaign based on facts and evidence to counter what he called misinformation from opponents.
He instructed the entire party organization to complete digital record-keeping and organizational strengthening work within this month and accelerate the distribution of new party memberships.
Vice Chairs Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, Bishnu Paudel and Raghuji Pant, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Secretaries Padma Aryal, Sherdhan Rai and Bhanubhakta Dhakal, and Dr Rajan Bhattarai, among other senior leaders, attended the virtual meeting conducted from the party’s central office.
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