CPN-UML Faces Internal Strife Over Provincial Government Leadership
Summary
Internal rifts have deepened inside CPN-UML over who will lead provincial governments under a new power-sharing deal with the Maoist Centre. In Koshi and Bagmati, factional pressure, resignations, and competing leadership claims have triggered repeated negotiations and growing party turmoil.
Key Points
- KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' agreed to split provincial government leadership between CPN-UML and the Maoist Centre.
- A leadership struggle in Koshi pits Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki against Oli's preferred replacement, Tilkumar Menyangbo.
- In Bagmati, Jagannath Thapaliya is facing pressure to step aside for Kiran Thapa, with party infighting spilling into government formation.
- UML leaders including Yogesh Bhattarai have criticized the lack of collective decision-making and the party's power-focused approach.
