KATHMANDU: As the general election for the House of Representatives approaches, the two major parties, the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML, are grappling with internal disputes, uncertainty over their general conventions, and leadership rivalry. The growing internal conflict within these major parties is overshadowing the election amidst a political environment destabilized by the ‘Gen-Z’ movement.

The House of Representatives election, set for March 5, is just 97 days away. However, the major political parties appear preoccupied with internal squabbles rather than focusing on the election.

Internal conflicts have flared up in both parties, primarily concerning their general conventions. The UML’s 11th General Convention is scheduled for December 13-15 in Kathmandu, while the timing of the NC’s regular or special general convention remains undecided.

The election is essential to bring the constitution and political situation, which was thrown off track following the Gen Z protests, back on track. Yet, NC and UML leaders are engrossed in party disputes. Since relations among leaders in these parties are not cordial, there are concerns over how these parties, mired in internal animosity and discord, will fare in the election.

The NC has formally decided to participate in the upcoming HoR and National Assembly elections. The CPN-UML, however, is showing a dual approach: registering the party for the election while simultaneously filing a writ petition in the Supreme Court for the reinstatement of the House of Representatives. With the hearing in the case scheduled for December 3, the UML has yet to decide whether to participate in the election.

UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli claims the election will not take place under any circumstances.

The Election Commission has already published the election schedule. Prime Minister Sushila Karki has been continuously urging the parties to create an environment conducive to the polls. She met UML leaders, including General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, on Thursday and urged the party to participate in the polls.

Leaders are facing uncertainty as the general election has arrived a year earlier than their ‘Mission 2027’ target. In a democratic system, an election is a standard process that parties should be focused on. Instead, they are engaging in verbal attacks under the guise of general conventions.

NC In Severe Crisis

The NC, which became the largest party in the 2022 elections, is currently going through a severe crisis. Following the attack on party president Sher Bahadur Deuba during the Gen Z protests, the proposal for a special general convention, brought forward by General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, has pushed the party into a difficult situation.

General Secretary Thapa is saying that if the regular general convention cannot be held by mid-January, a special convention by mid-December is the only alternative.

The establishment faction of the party, however, has been maintaining that since the election has been declared, the party should prepare for the election. Leaders of the faction have been saying that the general convention should only be held in April.

Analysts say that by getting caught up in the dispute over convention dates, the NC is failing in its duty to call on other parties to participate in the election.

Even NC leaders are now saying the party is failing to create an election atmosphere. Leaders admit that the internal conflict has prevented them from focusing on the election. There is also a fear among leaders that this internal strife could once again lead to a party split.

“Internal conflict is escalating in the NC. Because of this, the NC seems to be moving towards a split,” says political analyst Dr Bishnu Dahal. “The NC is caught in a geopolitical quagmire. This is why Deuba has returned from abroad.”

Escalation of Disputes in UML

Internal conflict has also reached its peak in the UML. The party’s 11th General Convention is certain to see a ‘two-line struggle’. Separate panels led by Chairperson KP Sharma Oli and Senior Vice-Chairperson Ishwor Pokharel are almost certain to compete for key party positions.

Oli has been urging rival leaders not to engage in factionalism within the party. Oli claims that the very leaders he had previously helped promote are now trying to pressure him.

Leaders of the other faction have been demanding that Oli take responsibility for the Gen Z movement and pave the way for new leadership. “Oli must take responsibility for the past incidents. The Prime Minister cannot say ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I wasn’t aware,'” said UML Vice-Chairperson Surendra Pandey.

In past elections, both parties faced allegations of internal sabotage. There are many examples of leaders losing elections due to sabotage. After the 2022 polls, NC President Deuba had taken action against some two dozen leaders accused of sabotaging the election.

NC leaders, however, say they plan to resolve this problem before the upcoming election. Leaders in favor of holding the convention only after the elections say they fear lingering resentment from internal competition during the convention could lead to sabotage during the election.

“The convention issue will be resolved before the election. This will reduce the problem of internal sabotage,” said NC leader Min Bishwakarma. Stating that there is still plenty of time for the election, he said all issues can be resolved by that time.

Analysts believe the demand for both a regular and a special convention is the biggest problem. “The pain of internal sabotage is greatest in the NC. I do not think this problem will be solved,” Dahal said. He added that an immediate general convention would create problems not only for the Deuba faction but also for General Secretary Gagan Thapa, who might struggle to find a constituency to contest the election from.

The UML faces similar issues. Having split multiple times due to internal strife, the party is once again divided between two main camps: one led by Oli and the other by Former President Bidya Bhandari. Bhandari, who was elected President from CPN-UML, was looking to revive her political career after completing her two terms as President. However, Oli revoked her party membership. The tension between Oli and Bhandari has since escalated. Ineligible to contest the election herself, she is throwing her weight behind Pokharel.

UML Spokesperson Rajendra Gautam said all internal problems will be resolved after the general convention. “The problems will be resolved once the party gets new leadership. That is why we are preparing for the convention,” he added.

The UML has also faced issues of internal sabotage in the past. It is anticipated that this problem will now worsen.

“The problems within the party have increased compared to the past,” said a UML leader.

A large segment of the UML is dissatisfied with Oli’s decision to revoke Bhandari’s membership.
Political analyst Dahal says the UML could be moving toward a split yet again. “Previously, the UML had a two-line struggle that led to a party split. Now, the UML is heading toward the same level of conflict,” Dahal states.