Editorial photo #13161300 Politics

Nepal's Oli-Led CPN-UML Makes U-Turn, Spearheads Preparations For March Polls After Protests Against Election

Shankar Pokharel, General Secretary of CPN-UML, chats with former secretary of the party Gokarna Bista in the premises of the party office in Lalitpur, Nepal, on January 6, 2026. CPN-UML forms a manifesto drafting committee for the upcoming House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5. The decision is made during the party's Secretariat meeting with Chairperson KP Sharma Oli leading the committee. The committee includes former Senior Vice-Chairman Ishwar Pokharel, who is defeated by Oli in the party leadership contest. According to Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatta, the manifesto drafting committee comprises Vice-Chairmen Ram Bahadur Thapa and Bishnu Paudel, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Central Committee members Ishwar Pokharel and Pradeep Gyawali, as well as Bishnu Rimal. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo details

Photo ID: #13161300
Date taken: 6 January 2026
Location: —
Photographer: Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category: Politics

Related keywords

Shankar Pokharel General Secretary CPN-UML Gokarna Bista party office Lalitpur January 6 2026 manifesto drafting committee House of Representatives elections March 5 Secretariat meeting Chairperson KP Sharma Oli committee Senior Vice-Chairman Ishwar Pokharel Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatta Vice-Chairmen Ram Bahadur Thapa Bishnu Paudel Central Committee members Pradeep Gyawali Bishnu Rimal Subaas Shrestha NurPhoto former secretary party leadership contest election manifesto.