Change in UML power equation

KATHMANDU, FEB 03 - CPN- UML Vice-chairman Bam Dev Gautam said he would support senior leader KP Sharma Oli instead of  party Chair Jhalanath Khanal in the parliamentary party (PP) election.

With Gautam’s announcement just two days ahead of the scheduled PP election, party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal’s chances of being elected have waned, as has the prospect of Khanal remaining as party chief for the second time in the ninth general convention slated for mid-April.

Gautam’s move has caused loss to senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal who supported Khanal in what party leaders say was an attempt to alienate Oli from the party.

In their ‘gentleman’s understanding’ on Saturday night, Gautam agreed to support Oli as PP leader while Gautam is to lead the party in a future NC-led government.

Gautam, according to the agreement, will also back Oli as party chief in the convention while Gautam will be fielded for the position of senior vice-chairman. If Oli is granted the opportunity to lead the government after being elected party chief, the authority to run the party would be handed over to Gautam as acting party chief.

Gautam on Saturday afternoon had asked the party chief not to contest the PP election. He told him that he would propose him as the new President during a meeting with Khanal.

The leaders reached an agreement at the Gaushala-based Madan Bhandari Foundation in the presence of Vice-chairman Bidhya Bhandari, General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel, Secretary Bishnu Poudel and supporters of both the leaders.

The new alliance, according to Oli, gave “power to those deprived of the opportunity despite their years of contribution to the party”.

Gautam had also warned Khanal not to contest the parliamentary election. “I suggested he [Chairman Khanal] not contest the post of parliamentary party leader as his defeat in the election would be disgraceful,” said Gautam.

Nepal and Khanal, according to supporters of the new alliance, had already enjoyed high-ranking posts, and now it is the turn of new leaders to serve the party’s interests.

Despite facing a shock after the development of the alliance, Khanal resolved not to shy away from the election race. A total of 50 central committee (CC) members available in Kathmandu have suggested Khanal table the proposal to elect the PP leader at the CC meeting on Monday.

“Don’t ask whether we [the Khanal faction] will file candidacy for the post of parliamentary party leader. Traditionally, the chairman enjoys the right to be appointed as parliamentary party leader and we will practice all available options, including an election, to bag the position,” said Ghanshyam Bhusal, a leader close to Khanal, adding, “So, ask them [Oli faction] whether they back away from their stance.”

Bhusal claimed Khanal still enjoys the support of 95 lawmakers of the total 175 seats held by the party. “Oli always makes a big noise that he is going to defeat the election like all previous elections,” added Bhusal.

Khanal’s supporters believe that Gautam’s support for Oli will have no significant consequence in the election, arguing that a majority are still in favour of electing Khanal as PP leader. If Monday’s CC fails to appoint a PP leader unanimously, an election has been scheduled for Tuesday.

Elected vice-chairman of the party in 2009’s Butwal General Convention, Gautam was a trusted leader of the Khanal-faction and had played a significant role in electing Khanal as party chief and later as head of the government after the government of Madhav Kumar Nepal was dissolved in February 2011.

Even as senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, who had maintained a neutral position in the previous general convention, came closer to Khanal, Ishwor Pokharel and some youth leaders have joined the Oli camp, further weakening Khanal’s position. Oli is popular among party cadres though is said to lack the negotiation skills of other UML leaders such as Nepal and Khanal.

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