Kathmandu: CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has finalized his panel for the party’s 11th General Convention, but the proposed leadership line-up has drawn criticism for excluding leaders under the age of 40, despite repeated pledges to promote youth in the party’s top ranks.
Although Oli has introduced several new faces into the leadership, none belong to the younger generation. The absence of youth representation has become particularly noticeable after Oli amended the party statute during Sunday’s closed session, citing the need to strengthen the party in the wake of the Gen-Z movement on September 8 and 9.
As the names from Oli’s camp emerged following the statute amendment, it became evident that the leadership reshuffle did not result in generational change. “We tried to include youth, but it was not possible due to pressure from senior leaders,” said Mahesh Bartaula, a close aide to Oli. “No one under 40 could be accommodated.”
Oli has confirmed Shankar Pokharel as the party’s general secretary, a move that has sparked dissatisfaction within the UML. Senior leader Pradeep Gyawali, previously seen as a strong contender for the post, has been reluctant to accept the vice-chair position and reportedly walked out of a recent meeting in Gundu. Party leaders are continuing efforts to persuade him to remain within the proposed panel.
The panel includes five vice-chairs, most of whom are senior and familiar figures. Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, Bishnu Paudel and Guru Baral have been retained, while Prithvi Subba Gurung and Pradeep Gyawali have been proposed as new additions. Gurung was previously a deputy general secretary, while Gyawali’s inclusion remains uncertain.
In the deputy general secretary positions, Lekhraj Bhatta has been promoted, while Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal has been demoted to secretary. Former secretaries Raghubir Mahaseth and Bishnu Rimal have also been appointed as deputy general secretaries.
Of the nine secretary positions, Oli has proposed six new faces, yet none represent younger leaders. Figures often regarded as youth voices within the party, including Ram Kumari Jhakri, have been left out. Party insiders say that factional balance and internal pressures prevented the inclusion of younger leaders.
Instead, Oli has favored experienced leaders considered loyal to his leadership. Former Koshi Province Chief Minister Sherdhan Rai, a close ally of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, has been appointed secretary after publicly supporting Oli. Current Koshi Chief Minister Hikmat Karki has also been included, along with Mahesh Basnet, Karnali Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel, and Rajan Bhattarai.
Despite these appointments, dissatisfaction is growing among younger UML leaders. A leader close to Oli acknowledged concerns that the panel lacks youth representation and could appear weaker if rival panels include younger candidates.
The absence of a woman vice-chair has also raised questions. Although there was pressure to elevate Padma Aryal to the vice-chair position, Oli retained her as secretary, citing leadership management concerns.
While Oli’s supporters describe the panel as stable and electorally secure, the exclusion of leaders under 40 has intensified debate within the UML over whether leadership renewal in the party remains more symbolic than substantive.
Comments