The closed session of the CPN-UML Morang district convention has been halted due to a dispute over the nomination of representatives. The session was stopped after disagreements arose over the nomination of 46 representatives by the district committee.
There are two main factions within UML Morang—the establishment group and the opposing faction. The opposing faction protested in the closed session, accusing the establishment group of unfairly selecting representatives. The situation became tense due to the protests, leading leaders to pause the session for discussions. The discussion is being facilitated by Central Vice President Guru Baral.
One representative from the opposing faction stated, “There was internal opposition within the committee regarding the nominated representatives. We are demanding the cancellation of the unilateral decision.” The leaders are now in discussion, and the closed session has been temporarily postponed.
According to leaders from the opposing faction, Deputy Secretary Somraj Thapa had initially objected to the nomination process, arguing that there had been no prior discussion. This led to protests and chanting against the establishment group. The protests stopped after leaders agreed to hold further discussions on the matter.
There was also controversy over the district chairperson’s report not being presented in the district committee and the disciplinary action taken against former Biratnagar Metropolitan Committee Chairperson Sagar Thapa. “The session was ongoing despite some disagreements, but the protests escalated when the issue of nominated representatives arose,” said another UML representative. Most representatives opposed the nomination of 5% of the total members.
Due to the protests, the convention’s schedule has been affected. As per the original plan, the election schedule was supposed to be published in the evening, followed by the nomination process. However, since the closed session is not yet complete, the process has been delayed.
Two panels have been formed in the district convention—one led by the establishment faction, which supports Chairman KP Sharma Oli, and the other led by Binod Dhakal. The establishment faction is preparing to nominate Rajkumar Ojha as the district chairperson, while Dhakal’s faction is backing Ajambar Rai for the same position.
Dhakal’s group is also planning to nominate Sagar Thapa as vice-chairperson and Somraj Thapa as secretary, with Usha Jha and Santosh Bantwa as deputy secretaries. Meanwhile, the establishment faction is considering Shanti Bhujel as vice-chairperson and Rabin Thapa as secretary.
The convention aims to elect a 165-member leadership team, with 914 representatives participating in the process.
