KATHMANDU: Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli has instructed central committee members representing Karnali Province not to be swayed by recent internal unrest, which he described as nothing more than a “minor gust of wind.” Instead, he urged them to focus on strengthening the party.

During a three-hour meeting held at Baluwatar on Saturday evening, Oli reminded the leaders of the party’s long history of struggle and resilience, saying that the current turbulence was minor and would be resolved.

“This is just a small gust of wind. It will settle. Rather than getting distracted, focus on strengthening the party in your respective regions,” he said.

Oli claimed that the current instability was driven by external forces who are alarmed by the UML’s recent popularity and political moves.

He also criticized former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, without naming her directly, for making decisions that, he said, diminished her own stature by getting involved in disputes over party membership.

According to UML Karnali in-charge Gorakh Bahadur Bogati, Karnali leaders emphasized that under “Mission 2084” (2027 AD), UML should emerge as the leading national force and that Oli’s leadership is essential for that goal.

Oli instructed them to work with singular focus to make UML the number one party across all 10 districts and local levels in Karnali.