Oli holds four-hour talks on Sudurpaschim UML dispute, further consultations scheduled friday

Kathmandu: CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has held a four-hour discussion with UML MPs from Sudurpaschim Province, instructing them to move forward in unity to resolve internal party disputes.

Amid discussions of a possible leadership change in the Sudurpaschim Province Parliamentary Party, Oli invited 11 provincial MPs to his residence in Gundu on Wednesday for an intensive dialogue. Although the meeting was scheduled to begin at 11 am, it reportedly started slightly later.

At the outset, Province In-charge Ganesh Singh Thagunna briefed the gathering on the current political situation and the dispute within the province. Province Chairman Krishna Prasad Jaishi then presented his views on the party’s condition. MPs subsequently shared their perspectives with Oli, discussing the provincial government, parliamentary party activities, ministerial performance, and internal dissatisfaction.

According to a participating MP, some lawmakers called for changes in the leadership of ministers and the parliamentary party, while others argued that such changes were unnecessary at this time.

Three UML ministers and one state minister are currently part of the Nepali Congress-led coalition government in Sudurpaschim Province. Sources indicated that MPs who were not appointed ministers also suggested implementing a rotation system.

After listening to the lawmakers for about four hours, Oli, referring to the prevailing political context, stated that it was not the time to intensify internal disputes.

“Domestic and foreign forces are currently active against us; at such times we should not be divided, but move forward unitedly,” an MP quoted Oli as saying.

However, Oli has not publicly announced any concrete decisions regarding parliamentary party leadership, ministerial changes, or a new political equation.

Following the discussion, Oli has called UML Deputy General Secretaries Lekhraj Bhatta, Ganesh Singh Thagunna, Krishna Prasad Jaishi, and parliamentary party leader Rajendra Singh Rawal for further consultations on Friday.

Parliamentary party leader Rawal said that Chairman Oli had listened carefully to the concerns and suggestions of all lawmakers and had instructed the party to proceed in a united manner.