KATHMANDU: The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) concluded its high-stakes, three-day Secretariat meeting late Sunday night, solidifying critical organizational plans while exposing underlying internal friction regarding party leadership.

The final session, held at party Chairman KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, lasted nearly ten hours.

During the extensive meeting, leaders held intensive discussions regarding contemporary politics, organizational restructuring, and work division. Following the deliberations, the party decided to form several task forces to streamline its next steps.

Notably, a task force has been formed under the leadership of Vice-Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ to submit a comprehensive proposal report on election review and party reorganization.

Speaking to journalists post-meeting, CPN (UML) Secretary Mahesh Basnet strongly refuted circulating rumors that Chairman Oli was preparing to step down.

Characterizing the reports as misleading and against the party’s best interests, Basnet asserted, “propaganda suggesting Chairman Oli will resign is entirely false and detrimental to the party. The party Chairman’s attention has been drawn to this matter. At present, there is no alternative to Oli.”

Sources revealed that during the session, Chairman Oli listened to the views of 18 office bearers for nearly four hours. Tensions emerged as 14 out of the 18 officials reportedly voiced opinions in favor of a leadership transition, while only four backed the current status quo.

Oli ultimately addressed the floor, answering the questions and suggestions raised by the leaders.

While second and third-generation leaders pushed for an immediate Central Committee meeting to accelerate party transformation and generational handover, the timeline has been pushed back.

According to party sources, several leaders demanded the meeting be held by mid-June. However, Chairman Oli proposed postponing it until late June or early July.

Insiders alleged that Oli delayed the meeting due to concerns over being in the minority.

The Central Committee meeting is now expected to tentatively take place ahead in July.