KATHMANDU, JANUARY 1
Following the banishment from the party for being involved in activities detrimental to the party's interests, leader Bhim Rawal has lambasted CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli as intolerant, arrogant and autocratic.
The UML secretariat met on December 25, 2024, and took action against Rawal, who is also the former vice chairperson, as well as leaders Binda Pandey and Usha Kiran Timilsina. Seven days after the incident, leader Rawal held a press conference in Kathmandu, accusing Oli of making many of his previous decisions arbitrary and autocratic.
He has announced that he will launch a campaign opposing Oli's dictatorial decisions and emphasising the importance of an awareness campaign for the nation's prosperity.
Rawal accused Oli and other parties of taking the same path. "Patriotic and conscious public opinion and government are necessary to guide the state on the path of defending and advancing the nation's independence, self-respect, and interests, as well as meeting the needs and aspirations of the people." Rawal said, "The people are strong if the nation is strong, and the nation is strong if the people are prosperous. It is critical to maintain the belief firmly."
He further said, "The public ought to be made aware of and proactive in combating corruption, mismanagement, and capricious behaviour. We must instill the belief that politics, parties, ideas, and organisations are for the benefit of the country and its people," Rawal said.
He went on to say, "We should launch a Motherland Awareness Campaign and bring together all patriotic, honest forces, individuals, and communities for the rights and interests of the country and people. We must address the issues and challenges confronting the country and its people in order to progress towards the renaissance of an independent, free, and self-respecting Nepal."
Furthermore, Rawal, the former Deputy Prime Minister, posed questions one after another about Oli's leadership.
Rawal has been involved in UML for nearly five decades. He had challenged Oli for the party's chairmanship at the 10th General Convention in Chitwan in November 2021, and his role in the party has diminished since then.
At a press conference held today, Rawal accused Oli of using party supporters to stage protests outside his hotel, recalling events from the party's general convention.
"I was in a hotel, but they were given alcohol and told to protest outside. Rawal said, adding, "I had to request the Armed Police Force stop them."
Rawal also revealed that during the convention, while Oli arranged special accommodations at a luxurious hotel for four leaders younger than him, he was only given a standard room.
He stated that he was expelled from the party for criticising Oli's behaviour and stance, and that his opposition to Oli's actions was a protest against wrongdoing within the party.
Meanwhile, Pradeep Gyawali, Deputy General Secretary of the CPN-UML, stated that the decision was made to remove former Vice President Rawal from ordinary membership because he consistently made statements that undermined the party.
"He failed to meet his obligations. And, because the statements were made with the intention of continually weakening rather than strengthening the party, it has been decided to remove him from ordinary membership," Gyawali stated.
