KP Sharma Oli was overwhelmingly re-elected leader of the CPN-UML at a two-day convention in Kathmandu, winning 1,663 votes to Ishwar Pokhrel's 564. Oli will lead the party into national elections scheduled for March 5. He resigned as prime minister after violent September protests that killed at least 77 people; an interim government led by Sushila Karki is now in place while investigations and a travel ban target Oli and other officials. Nepal faces political uncertainty ahead of the vote.
KP Sharma Oli Re-Elected As CPN-UML Leader, Will Lead Party Into March Elections
KP Sharma Oli, often known by his initials "KP", has carefully crafted an image as his party's supreme leader (Prakash MATHEMA)(Prakash MATHEMA/AFP/AFP)
Former prime minister KP Sharma Oli has been overwhelmingly re-elected leader of the Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), securing command of his party's preparations for national elections scheduled for March 5.
Convention Result
At a two-day general convention in Kathmandu, delegates returned the 73-year-old veteran to the party's top post by a wide margin. Party publicity chief Rajendra Gautam told AFP that Oli received 1,663 votes, nearly three times the total of his nearest rival, Ishwar Pokhrel, who won 564 votes.
Background And Fallout
Oli's victory follows his resignation as prime minister after a youth-led uprising in September toppled his government. The unrest — which began after a short-lived government restriction on social media and reflected longer-standing grievances over economic stagnation and corruption — culminated in violent protests that left at least 77 people dead and saw rioters set fire to Oli's home and several public buildings, including parliament and courts.
"I am happy he won," said Tara Maya Thapa Magar, 45, who traveled from Gandaki province to attend the convention. "He is the need of the hour for the nation."
Oli said in his resignation letter that stepping down would help "towards a political solution and resolution of the problems." Supporters at the convention accused foreign actors of contributing to the unrest, with one attendee saying the turmoil was the result of "international interference" and arguing Oli's leadership is needed to restore stability and prosperity.
Interim Government And Investigations
Following Oli's ouster, former chief justice Sushila Karki, also 73, was appointed interim prime minister to lead the country until the March 5 elections. The interim administration has imposed a travel ban on Oli and several other senior officials while a government commission investigates their roles in the crackdown on protesters.
Outlook
Nepal faces a challenging run-up to the vote: deep public distrust of established parties and the shadow of recent violence raise questions about whether credible, peaceful elections can be held. Interim Prime Minister Karki has pledged to provide a "fair and fear-free" environment for the polls, but political uncertainty remains high.
