Kathmandu, December 19, In a triumph that surpassed even his own predictions, KP Sharma Oli has completed a hat-trick as Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) – CPN-UML – at the party’s 11th National Convention. Facing longstanding accusations of stifling internal democracy and adopting an authoritarian style, Oli’s win was not just decisive—it was spectacular, revealing the extraordinarily deep roots of his influence within the party.

In an informal conversation during a pre-convention interview on ABC Television, Oli had privately expressed hopes for 65-70% support. The convention, however, delivered far more robust backing.

Oli secured 1,663 votes to complete his hat-trick. His rival, Ishwar Pokhrel – who contested with the backing of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari – received only 564 votes.

According to the UML Election Commission, out of 2,263 delegates, 36 were absent, meaning 2,227 participated in voting. Oli captured approximately 75% of these votes.

Both Oli and Pokhrel camps released separate panels (lists of office-bearers and central members) before voting, and delegates were even allowed to carry these panels into the booth for reference. Comparing these panels with the final 301-member Central Committee shows the opposing side in a strikingly weak position.

• 50 members (16.61%) were shared on both panels.
• 12 members (3.98%) succeeded exclusively from Pokhrel’s panel.
• 226 members (75.08%) were elected directly from Oli’s panel.
• 13 members (4.31%) were unopposed from various clusters (most aligned with Oli).

This data clearly establishes Oli’s faction’s unchallenged dominance in the new Central Committee—effectively over 80% when combining exclusive and shared members with unopposed allies.

In the 19 office-bearer positions, Oli’s grip is even tighter, though Vice-Chairmen like Bishnu Paudel, Prithvi Subba Gurung, and Raghubir Mahaseth do not always follow him unquestioningly in every context. The most vocal opposition voices appear to be Vice-Chairman Gokarna Bista and Deputy General Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai.

With Standing Committee and Politburo formed from the Central Committee, Oli’s allies are assured majority control there too, smoothing decision-making processes for him.

1. Chairman Election Results

• Total delegate voters: 2,263
• Participated in voting: 2,227 (36 absent)
• KP Sharma Oli: 1,663 votes (Winner)
• Ishwar Pokhrel: 564 votes (Defeated)

This margin reflects Oli’s solid base within the party. Held a year early amid crisis following the Gen-Z movement that toppled his government, the convention saw calls for leadership change—but Oli emerged validated through democratic process.

2. Group-wise Distribution in Central Committee (301 Members)

Comparing pre-convention panels with final results:

• Elected from Oli’s panel: 226 (75.08%)
• Elected from shared list: 50 (16.61%)
• Elected exclusively from Pokhrel’s panel: 12 (3.98%)
• Unopposed: 13 (4.31%)

This confirms clear majority (over 75%, effectively 80%+ with allies) for Oli’s group. His panel also dominates office-bearers (17 out of 19), ensuring influence in Standing Committee and Politburo.

Oli’s Comeback

After the Gen-Z movement in August 2025 ousted his government, questions arose even within the party about his leadership legitimacy. By advancing the convention, Oli tested himself democratically—and returned stronger.

One faction argued for supporting leadership in crisis; another pushed for change. Grassroots-selected delegates, however, trusted Oli, granting his panel overwhelming majority.

In the 10th Convention, Oli had majority too, but his style and decisions (e.g., delaying Bhandari’s membership renewal) swelled opposition. This time, delegates ensured not just continuity but ease of operations with heavy support for his team.

Oli’s Warning-Laden Closing Speech

At the convention’s closing ceremony, Oli framed his victory as both celebration and warning. Using language like “Just try touching the UML,” he sent a stern message to opposing forces—potentially aimed at critics inside and outside the party.

In the coming days, Oli’s influence on party policies and decisions will be even stronger. Despite Gen-Z impacts, he has proven his base solid. This convention adds new dimensions to debates on UML’s internal democracy: amid criticism of his style, the base chose him decisively—leaving the party’s future direction to be seen.

The voting, conducted over Wednesday and Thursday (December 17-18) in Kathmandu, saw Oli clinch 1,663 votes from delegates. His challenger, Ishwar Pokhrel – backed by former President Bidya Devi Bhandari – managed only 564. Of the 2,263 delegates, 36 were absent, leaving 2,227 to cast ballots.

Both camps released full panels ahead of the election. Cross-referencing these with the final 301-member Central Committee reveals Oli’s near-total control:

• 50 members (16.61%) appeared on both panels.
• 12 members (3.98%) were exclusive to Pokhrel’s panel.
• 226 members (75.08%) came exclusively from Oli’s panel.
• 13 members (4.31%) were elected unopposed.

This makeup signals Oli’s unchallenged reign in the new Central Committee. In the 19 office-bearer positions, Pokhrel’s panel won just two: Vice-Chairman Gokarna Bista and Deputy General Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai. Standing Committee and Politburo formations will follow suit, ensuring Oli loyalists dominate.

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The convention, advanced by a year in response to questions raised after the Gen-Z movement toppled Oli’s government, tested his legitimacy. One faction urged solidarity in crisis; another demanded change. Delegates chose continuity, handing Oli not just the chair but a streamlined machine for governance.

At the closing ceremony on Thursday, an emboldened Oli warned adversaries: language akin to “Just try touching the UML” – a clear message of defiance.

Even in the 10th Convention, Oli held a majority, but his style and decisions (like delaying Bhandari’s membership) swelled opposition ranks. This time, grassroots delegates reaffirmed faith, prioritizing smooth operations under his team.

Full Composition of the New Central Committee

Oli Panel (226 Elected Members):

1. KP Sharma Oli
2. Bishnu Prasad Paudel
3. Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’
4. Prithvi Subba Gurung
5. Raghuji Pant
6. Shankar Pokhrel
7. Lekhraj Bhatta
8. Raghubir Mahaseth
9. Khagaraj Adhikari
10. Chhabilal Bishwakarma
11. Padma Kumari Aryal
12. Bhanubhakta Dhakal
13. Mahesh Basnet
14. Yamlal Kandel
15. Rajan Bhattarai
16. Sher Dhan Rai
17. Hikmat Kumar Karki
18. Achyut Prasad Mainali
19. Aman Maskey
20. Ashok Byanju
21. Rishikesh Pokhrel
22. Chakra Bahadur Malla
23. Pathansingh Bohara
24. Yagya Bahadur Bogati
25. Liladhar Bhatta
26. Sahadev Bogati
27. Govinda Giri
28. Kamala Oli
29. Bhagirathi Singh
30. Lila Kumari Bhandari
31. Dal Phadera
32. Nawaraj Rawat
33. Bishnu Rijal
34. Rudra Bahadur Shahi
35. Indira Kumari Panthi
36. Mina Singh Rakhal
37. Khadka Bahadur Khadka
38. Gopal Rana
39. Ghanshyam Pandey
40. Narayan Prasad Acharya
41. Bhumishwar Dhakal
42. Krishna Bahadur Thapa
43. Kedar Sigdel
44. Til Bahadur Mahat Chhetri
45. Ramsharan Basnet
46. Hari Krishna Shrestha
47. Nawaraj Ojha
48. Manju Sharma Chalise
49. Keshavraj Pandey
50. Khemprasad Lohani
51. Rameshwar Rana
52. Samik Kumar Badal
53. Hasta Bahadur Pandit
54. Nisha Adhikari
55. Prabha Baral
56. Binda Dhungana
57. Ekwal Miyan
58. Tarakanth Chaudhary
59. Manoj Kumar Khadka
60. Rajkumar Lekhi
61. Hari Prasad Upreti
62. Mubin Alam
63. Aarti Bhandari
64. Kalpana Kumari Katwal
65. Nirmala Devkota
66. Indra Prasad Bhandari
67. Jivan Ghimire
68. Manbir Rai
69. Ram Rana
70. Romanath Oli
71. Kshitij Thibe
72. Manju Bhandari
73. Mina Pokhrel
74. Menka Kafle
75. Ganesh Dulal
76. Prem Kumar Parajuli
77. Ramesh Badal
78. Rameshwar Phuyal
79. Hari Krishna Byanjankar
80. Sunita Dangol
81. Rant Gurung
82. Sujita Shakya
83. Thaneshwar Prasad Basyal
84. Aindra Sundar Nemwang
85. Dr. Ajay Kranti Shakya
86. Amil Lama
87. Ekalal Shrestha
88. Gokul Prasad Ghartimagar
89. Govinda Pun
90. Chandra Prakash Gharti
91. Chandra Mohan Gauchan
92. Til Kumar Menyangbo Limbu
93. Prem Tamang
94. Rajendra Kumar Rai
95. Lil Bahadur Thapa Magar
96. Bishmalal Adhikari Danuwar
97. Subas Karmacharya
98. Manoj Tamli
99. Samrat Gauchan
100. Asharatna Jagebu
101. Tham Maya Thapa
102. Ajay Kumar Gupta
103. Upendra Prasad Shah
104. Umashankar Agariya
105. Kundan Prasad Kushwaha
106. Ganga Prasad Yadav
107. Jagdish Prasad Kushiyat
108. Dilip Kumar Agrawal
109. Ramchandra Mandal
110. Vijay Kumar Sarawagi
111. Saroj Kumar Yadav
112. Jwala Kumari Shah
113. Sarita Kumari Giri
114. Afilal Okheda
115. Govinda Bahadur Nepali
116. Jang Bahadur Nepali
117. Dan Singh Pariyar
118. Prabhu Hajara Dusadh
119. Bom Bahadur Bishwakarma
120. Manohar B. Poudel
121. Nita Ghatani
122. Asha Kumari B.K.
123. Dokmani Rana Baraili
124. Bishnu Maya B.K.
125. Krishna Tharu
126. Narulal Chaudhary
127. Balbir Prasad Chaudhary
128. Shanta Chaudhary
129. Jalil Miyan
130. Mohammad Harun Haluwai
131. Mohammad Samir
132. Janak Chaudhary
133. Bholanath Pokhrel
134. Nagendra Shahi
135. Sanjay Thapa
136. Ain Bahadur Mahar
137. Kiran Gurung
138. Krishna Kumar Shrestha (Kisan)
139. Krishna Prasad Adhikari
140. Khim Bahadur Thapa
141. Khimlala Bhattarai
142. Khem Man Khadka
143. Ganesh Singh Thagunna
144. Girdhari Lal Neupane
145. Gorkha Bahadur Bogati
146. Govinda Thapa
147. Chintan Pathak
148. Chetanarayan Acharya
149. Jagat Bahadur Bishwakarma
150. Jagannath Thapaliya (J.N.)
151. Jitu Gautam
152. Jivan Gautam
153. Jhapta Bahadur Bohara
154. Tulsi Prasad Neupane
155. Dadhiram Neupane
156. Dal Rawal
157. Damodar Bhandari
158. Dipak Karki
159. Devi Prasad Gyawali
160. Devendra Dahal
161. Niraj Acharya
162. Padam Giri
163. Parshuram Basnet
164. Parvat Gurung
165. Pradeep Kumar Katwal Chhetri
166. Pradeep Gyawali
167. Balram Adhikari
168. Dr. Bhishma Adhikari
169. Bhumi Tripathi
170. Mahesh Kumar Bartaula
171. Madhav Prasad Dhungel
172. Min Bahadur Shahi
173. Yagya Raj Sunuwar
174. Yam Bahadur Pariyar
175. Rabindra Adhikari
176. Rashmi Acharya
177. Rajiv Pahari
178. Rajendra Prasad Gautam
179. Lal Bahadur Thapa
180. Lalbabu Pandit
181. Lilanath Shrestha
182. Bishal Bhattarai
183. Sher Bahadur Tamang
184. Surya Dhakal
185. Dr. Surya Prasad Pathak
186. Surya Bahadur Thapa Chhetri
187. Hom Bahadur Thapa
188. Asmita Thapa
189. Urmila Sunuwar
190. Elisa Gautam
191. Kamala Bohara
192. Komal Oli
193. Kranti Burlakoti
194. Gita Karki
195. Jal Barsha Rajbanshi
196. Dr. Tika Dhakal
197. Tuka Hamal
198. Nirudevi Pal
199. Nirmala Pathak
200. Parvati Rawal
201. Prabha Koirala
202. Bindu Maharjan
203. Bimla Bik
204. Bhagwati Neupane
205. Man Kumari Jisi
206. Yashoda Rimal
207. Basanti Adhikari
208. Binadevi Rai
209. Sakuntala Shrestha
210. Shilpa Nirala Karki
211. Shiv Kumari Chaudhary
212. Shobha Gyawali
213. Sakuntala Lepcha
214. Santana Dahal
215. Santosh Kumari Sharma Thapa
216. Saraswati Chidi
217. Sarita Bhusal
218. Sarita Bhusal Khanal
219. Sita Sigdel Neupane
220. Sita Kumari Sundas
221. Sita Subedi
222. Sunita Baral
223. Surya Kumari Shrestha
224. Sushila Nepal
225. Gyanu K.C.
226. Ushakala Rai

Pokhrel Panel (Exclusive – 12 Members in Central committee):

1. Gokarna Bist*
2. Yogesh Bhhattarai*
3. Ishwar Pokhrel*
4. Agniprasad Kharel -(His loyalty to Oli)
5. Anand Prasad Pokhrel
6. Karna Bahadur Thapa*
7. Krishna Gopal Shrestha
8. Gokul Prasad Baskota
9. Jhapta Bahadur Rawal
10. Thakur Prasad Gaire*
11. Rachana Khadka*
12. Binda Pandey .*

openly claimed opposition Group*

Shared in Both Panels (50 Elected Members):

1. Jit Bahadur Malla
2. Dambar Bahadur Singh
3. Mohan Maya Dhakal
4. Kalpana Chapagain
5. Sima Kumari Chhetri
6. Nir Kumari Kunwar (Niru Darlami)
7. Bina Kumari Shrestha
8. R.C. Lamichhane
9. Shyam Kumar Basnet
10. Bhagwati Thapa Chhetri
11. Hemraj Rai
12. Naradevi Pun
13. Bhumika Limbu Subba
14. Manjudevi Gurung
15. Man Kumar Titung
16. Savitra Rana
17. Munisah Sudi
18. Lakhandas Tatma
19. Hari Narayan Mahato
20. Juli Kumari Mahato
21. Pratiksha Tiwari
22. Ram Rati Devi Ram
23. Savita Yadav
24. Parvati Bishunkhe
25. Kriparam Rana
26. Gaurishankar Chaudhary (Tharu)
27. Manju Kumari Chaudhary
28. Mohammad Kaish
29. Binod Shrestha
30. Dr. Birendra Raj Sharma Pokhrel
31. Kiran Gurung
32. Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel
33. Jamindra Man Ghale
34. Raj Bahadur Budhathoki
35. Shobhiyat Dhakal
36. Suhang Nemwang
37. Aarti Paudel
38. Gita Adhikari
39. Dolma Tamang
40. Tara Sanjel
41. Devka Pahari
42. Padma Khadka
43. Balika Kumari Giri
44. Bimla Aryal
45. Bhagwati Chaudhary
46. Bharti Pathak
47. Radhika Khatiwada
48. Ram Kumari Jhankri
49. Lakshmi Chhetri
50. Bina Gyawali

Unopposed Elected (13 Members):

1. Lilamani Gautam
2. Gumadevi Acharya
3. Menka Kumari Pokhrel
4. Shantidevi Dhakal
5. Amar Kumar Yadav
6. Raunit Shah
7. Sajida Khatun Siddiqui
8. Kamala Devi Tamang
9. Sita Lama
10. Badami Kwari Budha Bohora
11. Hari Prasad Ghimire
12. Naresh Rokaya
13. Sushil Kumar Thapa

This outcome fortifies Oli’s position, clearing the path for decisive action within the party and beyond. As Nepal heads toward national elections, the UML – under Oli’s iron grip – stands poised as a formidable force once more.