Battered by recent electoral defeats and facing asset probes, Nepal’s veteran communist leaders KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal signal a pragmatic reunion to reclaim influence ahead of local polls.
In a notable development in Nepal’s volatile politics, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) are actively pursuing fresh cooperation. Insiders report ongoing dialogues aimed at joint action in Parliament, on the streets, and in provincial governments. The two leaders, who have a history of opportunistic alliances followed by bitter splits, appeared together publicly on Sunday at a seminar marking the 75th birth anniversary of late UML leader Madan Bhandari.
Political observers say that the shared stage signals a thaw in their longstanding rivalry.
This marks their first joint platform since the Gen Z protests disrupted the political landscape. Former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, recently returned to active UML politics, will be the chief guest.
Electoral setbacks drive reassessment
The impetus for reconciliation stems from poor performances in the March 5, 2026, parliamentary elections. Both parties suffered significant losses – with fragmented left-wing votes benefiting rivals – including, emerging forces led by figures like Balendra Shah (Balen). UML holds 25 seats in the House of Representatives, while NCP has 17. Together, they believe a united front could mount stronger opposition.
An NCP post-election review highlighted that nine separate communist parties collectively garnered over four million proportional votes. Unified, analysts suggest they could have dominated. NCP leader Devendra Paudel emphasised urgency ahead of next year’s local and provincial elections: “If the left-wing parties do not unite now, we have no future.” Local cadres reportedly favour merger or deep cooperation, urging leaders to set aside egos.
At a recent UML office-bearers’ meeting, Oli stressed collaboration with the NCP and like-minded parties, citing government pressure. UML Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatta confirmed discussions on provincial coalitions, national sovereignty, and constitutional defence. “KP Oli and Dahal are discussing… standing together against government overreach,” he said.
Probes heighten sense of vulnerability
Compounding electoral woes are government investigations into assets of senior leaders from both parties. The arrest of UML Vice-Chairman Bishnu Prasad Paudel has been labelled a “political vendetta” by his party. These probes have spooked both camps, accelerating talks.
The parties are already aligned against certain government moves, such as proposals related to trade unions and squatter displacements. Backchannel discussions involve second-tier leaders like UML’s Shankar Pokharel, Prithvi Subba Gurung, and Lekhraj Bhatta, alongside NCP’s Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Barshaman Pun.
A history of fragile partnerships
Oli and Dahal’s partnership dates to 2017, when their alliance secured a near two-thirds majority. The 2018 merger formed the Nepal Communist Party, with them as co-chairs, but internal power struggles – centred on who would lead government versus party – led to collapse after two years and ten months. A post-2022 election pact lasted just two months. The Supreme Court dissolved the formal merger in 2021 amid naming disputes.
Earlier tensions included differing stances on the Gen Z movement: Dahal offered support, while Oli viewed it as a “serious conspiracy.” Post-election realities appear to have bridged some divides, with both now positioning themselves as “architects of Nepal’s Constitution” open to amendments aligned with its original spirit.
The NCP’s recent merger with other factions, including Unified Socialists, remains organisationally incomplete, but plans for broader left coordination are advancing once restructuring finishes.
Analyst scepticism and potential impact
Political observers remain cautious. Some independent observers have noted a pattern: Oli and Dahal join hands whenever they are in trouble or need to serve immediate political interests. History shows they split the moment they gain power.
The post-election squeeze has evidently driven them together again.
Yet, the move could reshape opposition dynamics. A stronger left bloc might pressure the current government more effectively and influence upcoming elections. Coordination on national issues could also stabilise certain policy areas, though critics argue it prioritises survival over genuine ideological renewal or addressing youth demands for jobs, anti-corruption, and better governance that fuelled recent upheavals.
Broader context includes Nepal’s shifting politics after Gen Z protests and the rise of non-traditional forces. Old-guard leaders face anti-incumbency, corruption scrutiny, and demands for accountability. Whether this latest Oli-Dahal thaw leads to durable unity or another short-lived pact remains uncertain, but it underscores the resilience of Nepal’s traditional power brokers amid challenges.
As the seminar approaches, all eyes will be on the messaging from Oli and Dahal. Their ability to project unity while navigating internal party differences and external pressures will test the viability of left-wing resurgence in Nepal’s fragmented democracy.
