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The essence of internal democracy within the party is debate, criticism and respect for diverse opinions.
But a theoretically strong party like CPN-UML, matured through mass movement, seems to be falling victim to KP Sharma Oli's autocratic style. This trend is not only towards ending the tradition of holding opinions within the party, but it is impacting the entire democratic culture.
Education Minister Vidya Bhattarai's resignation was not just a personal decision, it was a manifesto of dissent taken from moral grounds. But instead of welcoming it, Prime Minister Oli sarcastically said that he resigned because he was 'unable to work'. The tendency within the party to insult such a bold decision instead of recognizing it is an insult to the party culture.
Similarly, Binda Pandey and Ushakiran Timsina were suspended by the party for 6 months after they protested against the donation taken from the Bhatbhateni operator for the construction of the party's headquarters. The tendency to punish those who stand for ideas and principles seems to threaten the freedom of thought within the party.
Bhim Rawal, Ghanshyam Bhusal, Ramkumari Jhankri, Vamdev Gautam were all ideological, nationalist and self-respecting leaders within the UML. But the leadership, intolerant of criticism, either pushed out such personalities or forced them into silence. The trend of debating the culture of sticking to ideas and debating on the charge of 'sectarianism' is a matter of serious concern.
When leaders like Ashtalakshmi Shakya raise their voice that they should criticize openly, the leadership does not listen to it. In the current situation, UML is not based on ideas, but on the value of loyalty. Anyone who questions is eliminated. In this way, the culture of criticism is being killed within the party, the debate platform is being destroyed and the ego of the individual is standing above the principle. The core spirit of the Communist Party is based on criticism, self-criticism and collective decision-making. But under Oli's leadership, all those values are being suppressed.
If UML wants to save its historical legacy, ideological seriousness and public-responsive character, then the autocracy and self-centered tendencies of the leadership must be questioned immediately. Otherwise, this party will only become an instrument of individualistic aspirations.
– Santosh Simkhada , Tokyo, Japan
