Pokhrel Set to Challenge Oli for UML Chairmanship at 11th General Convention

KATHMANDU, Nov 7 

CPN-UML Senior Vice Chair Ishwar Pokhrel has signaled his intent to contest for the party’s top post, challenging incumbent Chair KP Sharma Oli in the upcoming 11th General Convention. Pokhrel, who had earlier claimed during the 10th Convention that he “deserved” to vie for the leadership, appears ready to enter the race with backing from the faction led by former President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

Pokhrel’s decision follows UML’s refusal to renew Bhandari’s party membership, despite her desire to return to active politics. According to party insiders, Bhandari herself has encouraged Pokhrel to announce his candidacy. “With the former president’s support, Senior Vice Chair Ishwar Pokhrel will make a bid for the chairmanship,” a UML leader said, adding that Pokhrel plans to promote a collective leadership model.

The 11th General Convention is slated for December 13–15 in Kathmandu, where the party will determine its new leadership. Oli, who recently indicated his readiness for another term, has already cleared the way by amending UML’s statute during the convention held in September—allowing him to seek a third term.

While General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel and most senior leaders are backing Oli, Ishwar Pokhrel has yet to formally secure major public endorsements. Party Vice Chairs Astalaxmi Shakya, Yuvaraj Gyawali, and Surendra Pandey are seen as potential allies but have remained noncommittal. Pokhrel, however, insists that he is a “natural claimant” for the chair.

The internal rift has deepened as Oli’s faction, led by General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel, intensifies preparations for the convention, while the Bhandari camp mobilizes around Ishwar Pokhrel. To prevent open confrontation, Oli has reportedly delayed Bhandari’s membership renewal and pushed for the removal of the “senior vice chair” post from the party statute.

During the October central committee meeting, several members voiced concern that Oli’s leadership was losing public trust. “The public seems unwilling to accept Oli as party leader anymore. The General Convention will decide the party’s direction,” one member stated.

In the 10th General Convention held in November 2021, Oli was elected chair and Pokhrel senior vice chair. Despite being known as an effective organizer, Pokhrel has struggled to build an independent faction. UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai has repeatedly called for a leadership transition, suggesting Oli should assume a “guardian role” and hand over power to a new generation.

Pokhrel has similarly argued for generational change. At the Secretariat meeting in Gundu, Bhaktapur, in October, most office bearers—including Pokhrel—urged Oli to step down. Instead, Oli advanced the General Convention by 13 months to settle the leadership issue there.

On November 1, six office bearers raised the matter of reinstating Bhandari’s membership, but Oli deflected, promising to speak to her privately. As her membership remains suspended, Pokhrel has moved ahead with his bid, supported by Bhandari’s loyalists.

Historically, Pokhrel has maintained close ties with influential factions. During Madhav Kumar Nepal’s tenure as general secretary, he was linked to the Coordination Centre and to the late Madan Bhandari. Known as a proponent of “People’s Multiparty Democracy,” Pokhrel’s shifting alliances have long made Oli wary.

At the 8th General Convention in Butwal, Pokhrel contested for general secretary from Jhalanath Khanal’s camp. Later, during the 9th Convention, he sided with Oli against Nepal and Khanal, helping Oli win the chair. In the 10th Convention, he supported Oli’s unanimous re-election. Now, with the political tides turning, Pokhrel appears ready to contest his former ally for the party’s top position.