There Is No Strength Behind the Campaign to Remove Me as Chairman’: Oli

 

Biratnagar: CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said there is no real strength behind the campaign being carried out by some leaders to remove him from the party’s chairmanship.

Addressing the central committee meeting of the Indigenous Nationalities Federation held in Fikkal, Ilam, on Saturday, Oli expressed dissatisfaction over activities aimed at removing the party chairman in violation of the procedures, rules and timing set by the party’s general convention.

Oli said some individuals had been sitting in the party office canteen and talking about removing the chairman, even going around collecting signatures. He dismissed the campaign as meaningless.

“Remove the chairman—whenever you want, go ahead and remove me,” Oli said. “Some people are going around collecting signatures to remove the chairman. There is no strength behind this, nothing at all.”

He described such activities as signs of indiscipline and anarchy within the party. According to Oli, activities carried out outside the methods, procedures and timeframe determined by the party’s general convention have no legitimacy.

Oli also said the entire party should remain united at a time when the UML is facing strong attacks from opposition forces and political opponents.

“At a time when the opponents are attacking us intensely and it is becoming difficult to withstand the pressure, the entire party should be united and confront the challenges together. But instead, there are talks within the party about removing the chairman,” he said.

Oli urged party members to immediately stop such activities and stressed that any change in party leadership must follow the procedures and provisions established by the general convention.

Oli visited eastern Nepal for the first time since the election. He was welcomed at Chandragadhi Airport in Jhapa by party leaders, cadres and supporters before heading directly to Fikkal in Ilam.