In the run-up to the upcoming House of Representatives elections, the UML has adopted a policy of prohibiting those with different views from distributing tickets. Chairman KP Sharma Oli himself has taken the responsibility of 'holding' the tickets of leaders who formed a separate panel against the establishment party in the 11th General Convention.

The ticket of leader Ishwor Pokharel, who competed with Oli for the post of chairman, has been held. Although he was the sole recommendation for the candidate from Kathmandu 5, the central secretariat has postponed it. Oli has been given the right to give or refuse a ticket to him.

Among those who competed for the office bearers from the Pokharel panel at the general convention, only Gokarna Bista, who won the post of vice-chairman, is the candidate for Gulmi 2.

Deputy General Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai, who competed and won from Pokharel's side, has had his ticket taken away. His ticket was taken away in his home district of Taplejung, where he had previously won. In the secretariat meeting, he had expressed a different opinion, saying that the ticket distribution was not fair. 'Tickets have been distributed based on the competition in the general convention,' he said, 'This has not done justice to those with different opinions and views.'

He said that tickets were distributed without setting clear criteria. ‘I am of the opinion that clear criteria should be made for the selection of candidates from the CPN (UML) in the elections. When selecting candidates without setting criteria, it seems that the leadership's will and favoritism are considered the basis rather than qualified ability, intelligence, loyalty to the party and continuity,’ he said in his dissenting opinion. ‘In some places, a person with the same characteristics is made a candidate, while in other places a person with the same characteristics is deprived of selection.’ As a result, it does not seem that the party decision has received unanimous support nationwide.’

He said that it was a serious mistake to ignore the different opinions within the party.

‘The favoritism during the competition for the House of Representatives candidates (proportional and direct) is clearly visible.’ This weakens the internal unity of the party. The fact that the party is a unity among diversity has been completely ignored during the selection of candidates,' he said, 'This is a serious mistake in today's decision.'

Bhattarai said that even if those with different views are deprived of tickets, they will work hard to win the party's candidates. 'We will work hard to win the party's candidates,' he said.

He objected that it is not only wrong for leaders to change constituencies to win themselves, but it is also unfair to the workers of that area. He said, 'Now, when leaders leave their old areas and go to safe areas, on the one hand, a positive message has not been conveyed, and on the other hand, there has been a blatant injustice against self-respecting workers who have lost their positions.'

Secretary Bhanubhakta Dhakal claimed that the party selected candidates according to the rules and procedures. 'Direct candidates have been selected taking into account the recommendations from the districts and provinces,' he said, 'It is not possible for all aspirants to get tickets.' That is why there may have been some complaints.'

Surendra Pandey, who was defeated in the general secretary contest, has also been blocked from directly contesting. He had been standing from Chitwan 1 in the past and was not given a ticket this time. Arun Nepal, who was a candidate for the vice-president post, has also been prevented from contesting.

Agni Kharle, Thakur Gaire, Krishnagopal Shrestha, Karna Thapa, Purushottam Poudel, and Indralal Sapkota, who had given their candidacies for the post of secretary in the general convention, have been denied tickets. In the last election, Kharel was a candidate for Jhapa 1 and Gaire was a candidate for Palpa 2. Gaire won the election. The decision to make Ramchandra Upreti the candidate for Jhapa 1 and Bishnu Poudel the vice-president for Palpa 2 was made on Saturday. But on Sunday, he decided to contest from Rupandehi 2.

Similarly, Gokul Baskota, who contested for the post of secretary from Pokharel, has not yet been decided on his ticket. He was elected from Kavre 2 in the last election and is trying to run again this time. Oli has also put his ticket on hold. He was once very close to Oli but has been put on hold because he had different opinions.

Krishnagopal Shrestha, who was an aspirant for the Kathmandu 9 ticket, has also been denied a ticket because he had different opinions. Binda Pandey, who contested for the 11th vice-chairman post, and Rachana Khadka, who contested for the post of secretary, did not get a ticket directly either. They did not even make it to the proportional list.