KATHMANDU, June 26 : In a fiery political address that left party leaders and cadres concerned, CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel painted a picture of a party under siege—not from one corner, but from four powerful fronts.
Speaking at the sixth meeting of the UML Kathmandu District Committee in Tokha on Thursday, Pokharel accused four forces of launching coordinated attacks on his party. “The UML is being cyber-attacked and politically cornered by four camps: royalists, Maoists under the communist banner, populist socialists, and foreign powers,” Pokharel declared, drawing a clear line between “us” and “them.”
According to Pokharel, monarchists have targeted UML for standing in the way of a royal resurgence. He claimed that had UML not opposed them, efforts to reinstate the monarchy—including symbolic actions like crowning a king at Narayanhiti—might have gone unchallenged.
“UML’s presence has deflated their indefinite movement. That’s why they are bitter,” he said. “But we won’t be shaken by their slogans—we know we’re on the right side of history.”
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Pokharel took aim at rival leftist parties, accusing Maoists and socialist-leaning groups of attempting to undermine UML under the guise of being “fellow communists.” He alleged that they are engaged in cyber warfare against the party, driven by jealousy and their own political stagnation.
“They believe weakening UML is their only route to growth. But in reality, they are doing the bidding of foreign interests,” he warned.
The third “force” Pokharel identified was the populist wave, embodied by the Rastriya Swatantra Party and Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah. He accused them of misleading the public in the name of reform and using populism as a tool to discredit established parties like UML.
“These forces know that UML is the only party capable of exposing their flawed policies. That’s why we are in their crosshairs,” Pokharel said.
Saving the most ominous for last, Pokharel alleged that external powers—unnamed but clearly resented—are involved in weakening UML to turn Nepal into a puppet state.
“From resisting the blockade to reclaiming lost territory, UML has always stood tall for Nepal’s sovereignty,” he said. “Had UML not resisted, this country would have become a playground for foreign agendas.”
Pokharel didn’t stop at identifying threats—he rallied his party’s rank and file to stand strong, especially on social media, where he said most of the attacks are concentrated. He criticised leaders and cadres for retreating from political discourse online, instead resorting to posting family events and celebrations.
“Political silence isn’t an option. Speaking out and fighting back—collectively and confidently—is our duty,” he urged.
General Secretary Pokharel also warned that the ongoing attacks on party chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli could set a precedent for targeting other national leaders. “If we don’t counter this now, no one will be safe tomorrow,” he said.
