KATHMANDU: CPN-UML expelled its former vice-chairperson Bhim Rawal from the party on Wednesday. The party cited Rawal’s statements against party interests as the reason for the disciplinary action.
Rawal, who has a strained relationship with the party chairperson KP Sharma Oli, had recently criticized the party’s decision to accept land donation from Bhat-Bhateni Super Market owner Min Bahadur Gurung for the party’s central office building. He had accused UML and Oli of falling under the influence of intermediaries.
Rawal’s remarks became one of the primary reasons for his expulsion.
The relationship between Rawal and the UML appears irreparable. If the UML does not revoke its decision, Rawal may have to sever ties with the leftist party he has served for 50 years. His expulsion has sparked debate in political circles, with leaders from other parties also commenting on the strained Rawal-Oli relationship. While some view Oli’s action as autocratic and undemocratic, others blame Rawal for the fallout.
Political analysts argue that Oli’s decision reflects intolerance toward dissent and a regressive approach. However, within the UML, many justify the action as necessary. Although Oli-Rawal relationship had long been strained, it came to the fore during the party’s general convention held in 2021. Although attempts were made from both sides for reconciliation, no resolution was achieved. Rawal, once a vice-chairman and a prominent leader, has now become a former member of the UML. He has strongly condemned the party’s decision, claiming it silences the voices of patriotic UML members.
Many UML leaders did not anticipate Rawal’s expulsion from the party. The party establishment had assumed that Rawal would eventually leave due to his diminishing roles and responsibilities. Despite being marginalized, Rawal remained in the UML even when some leaders split the party to form the CPN (Unified Socialist). He signed a 10-point pact with the party establishment and chose to remain within the UML even though he was close to Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal both of who joined Unified Socialist. His criticisms of the establishment, including Oli, intensified over time.
Many say Rawal wanted to continue Nepal’s legacy in UML and continue to lead the anti-establishment faction in UML. But it didn’t happen. Oli stripped him of his responsibility as Sudurpashchim in-charge of the party. Lekhraj Bhatt, who had joined the party from the CPN (Maoist Center) was given the responsibility.
UML leaders believe Oli wanted to exploit the power dynamics between the so-called ‘Das Bhai’ – 10 UML leaders who were against Oli and former Maoist Center leaders in UML to maintain his dominance. “Oli’s strategy was to play both sides to establish himself as the ultimate authority,” said one leader. “However, Rawal began directly opposing Oli, shifting the dispute from being between the ‘Das Bhai’ faction and former Maoist leaders to a personal conflict between Rawal and Oli.”
During the UML’s Chitwan convention in 2021, Rawal had openly opposed Oli by running for the chairmanship against him. Oli was looking to elect the party leadership unopposed, but Rawal insisted on contesting. This led to elections for multiple positions. Rawal had wanted to be designated as senior leader by contesting for the chairmanship, a role traditionally assigned to defeated candidates. However, Oli denied him this opportunity.
Oli proposed to nominate Rawal to the central committee. But Rawal rejected the proposal. “When he refused to accept the role of a central committee member, the party proposed that he become an advisor. However, he didn’t stay in that position either,” Deputy General Secretary Pradip Gyawali said. “He repeatedly refused responsibilities, and his statements consistently went against the party’s interests.”
Rawal’s dissent escalated when he was denied a parliamentary ticket for the Achham-1 constituency during the 2022 elections. Oli nominated Jhapat Bohora, a former Maoist leader who had joined the UML, in his place. This decision led Rawal to publicly criticize Oli and the party leadership.
“Rawal was unanimously recommended as a candidate, but Oli’s obstruction turned the situation into a point of criticism,” said UML Vice-Chairperson Astalaxmi Shakya.
According to UML leaders, it was widely speculated that Rawal might leave the party after these developments. There were also predictions that he would rebel if denied a ticket for the House of Representatives election. However, that did not happen. Despite being reduced to an ordinary member, Rawal chose to remain within the UML.
The UML had begun considering disciplinary action against Rawal in 2022. During the “Mission Grassroots” campaign in Sudurpaschim Province, clashes between Oli and Rawal factions further escalated tensions. Following the incident, UML Vice Chairperson Bishnu Paudel accused Rawal of working against party interests.
The establishment faction then formed a negotiation team under Paudel. Rawal, who had a bitter relationship with Paudel, was naturally furious. The plan was to take action against Rawal if he refused to hold talks with the negotiation team. But he engaged in discussion. Rawal even held talks with Oli.
UML concluded that Rawal’s activities caused losses to the party in Sudurpaschim Province in the 2022 elections.
Party leaders say that Rawal’s influence now is limited to his home district Achham and that his removal would not significantly impact the party’s prospects in the province. They also believe that acting now, three years before the next election, would minimize potential loss in the next election.
“Rawal’s absence won’t affect the party much now,” said UML’s Sudurpashchim in-charge Lekhraj Bhatta.
Rawal’s Next Steps
Rawal, a former deputy prime minister and vice-chairperson, now faces an uncertain future. Political analysts suggest his most viable path lies with the Unified Socialist which is led by Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Narayan Dhakal, an expert on leftist politics, believes Rawal might align with Nepal’s party. However, some speculate that Rawal may wait for the UML’s next convention, where leadership changes, such as the potential entry of Bidya Devi Bhandari, could create new opportunities for him.
Rawal is expected to hold a press conference soon to announce his future plans. For now, his expulsion marks the culmination of a long-standing conflict with the UML’s leadership.
