KATHMANDU: A three-day CPN (UML) Secretariat meeting at Chairman KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Gundu has exposed a severe leadership rift.

Out of 19 top office-bearers, only four stood in defense of Oli, while the vast majority—including heavyweights like Vice-Chairman Gokarna Bista, Deputy General Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai and Secretaries Sherdhan Rai, Hikmat Karki and Dr. Rajan Bhattarai—demanded that Oli and other first-generation leaders retire to save the party from stagnation.

The division has sparked immediate political fallout, with reports indicating Oli is already planning to oust Koshi Chief Minister Hikmat Karki from his government post due to his vocal opposition during the meeting.

Conversely, Vice-Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ and Secretary Mahesh Basnet anchored the minority defense.

Basnet launched an aggressive counter-attack, labeling the demands for leadership transition “irresponsible and criminal,” especially given Oli’s fragile health as he recovers from surgeries and pneumonia.

“I am ready to quit politics, but I will not betray the Chairman,” Basnet declared, blaming “imperialist forces,” state machinery, and social media algorithms for the party’s recent electoral setups.

To combat the crisis, Basnet proposed creating a dedicated digital sister organization, barring defeated candidates from the Election Review Committee, and leaving the final drafting of the party’s political report solely to Oli.

The meeting will conclude following Oli’s official response and a decision on new organizational responsibilities.