15 SC members from Nepal-Khanal faction issue joint statement lambasting PM Oli's 'autocratic' and 'unconstitutional' political moves

KATHMANDU, MAY 26

15 standing committee members from the Nepal-Khanal camp of the CPN-UML have issued a joint statement lambasting party chair KP Sharma Oli for his 'autocratic' moves that have led to recent grim developments in national politics, and for further complicating intra-party conflict.

The joint statement issued today by the SC members condemned PM Oli for dissolving the elected House of Representatives (HoR) while also labelling the unprecedented move as 'autocratic' and 'unconstitutional.'

Similarly, recently, 11 parliamentary party members were sacked from the party while 12 others were provided an ultimatum by the Prime Minister seeking an explanation for their 'anti-party' activities.

PM Oli had resorted to such measures after the members had joined hands with opposition alliance to form the new majority govt under the Prime Ministership of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba.

The members not only accused PM Oli for poor leadership leading to intra-party conflict and 'factionalisation' or even just for resorting to anti-party moves, dampening party unity by attempting to silence voices of the party members, but also took on President Bhandari for siding with PM Oli at the expense of flouting public mandate.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari swiftly dissolved the lower house on two occasions and called for pre-mature general elections on recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, which has also put the president's intentions into questioning.

The SC members appealed all democratic forces for collaborative effort to fight against the totalitarian moves of the Prime Minister.

Furthermore, leaders Gokarna Bista and Yogesh Bhattarai have 'rejoined' the Madhav Nepal-Jhalnath Khanal faction of the party. Speculations on their political inclination arose earlier as their signatures on the premiership claim of forming the new govt submitted to the President were missing. However, the joint statement has confirmed the aforementioned negating the possibility of them joining hands with the Oli camp.

Joint statement
Joint statement

Joint statement
Joint statement