A change in government is imminent in Bagmati Province due to internal disputes within the Nepali Congress (NC). The latest development follows the election of Indra Baniya as the new leader of the party’s provincial parliamentary committee, defeating Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama. The need to elect a new parliamentary leader through a formal vote highlights the depth of internal rift within the party. With Baniya’s victory, his appointment as Chief Minister is now all but certain. This is merely the latest example of growing political infighting in Nepal. Almost all major parties are currently grappling with internal discord. Internal strife is nothing new for the NC. In 1991, factionalism within the party—divided between groups of 36 and 74 lawmakers—forced then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to call mid-term elections. The 1994 elections produced a hung parliament, giving the CPN-UML’s Man Mohan Adhikari the opportunity to become Nepal’s first communist Prime Minister. The factionalism that emerged barely a few years after the restoration of democracy in 1990 remains a persistent challenge in our national politics, with leaders frequently shifting allegiances and forming camps based on personal convenience. This must stop, and our leaders must put the nation before factional games.
While the rivalry between NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Dr Shekhar Koirala factions continues to plague the NC’s internal unity, another ruling party, the CPN-UML, is no exception. Internal tension has been simmering, particularly regarding former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s alleged desire to return to active politics. Prime Minister and party Chair KP Sharma Oli is reportedly taking steps to prevent her comeback. While dissatisfaction exists within the UML, dissent rarely surfaces in public due to Oli’s strong grip on the party. The main opposition, the CPN (Maoist Centre), is also facing mounting internal discontent. Pressure is growing on party chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal to step down after leading the party for over three decades. Vice Chairman Janardan Sharma has emerged as a vocal critic, openly challenging Dahal’s leadership. Since transitioning from underground politics to parliamentary democracy in 2006, the party has faced continuous internal struggles, with many leaders and cadres defecting over the years. Similar instability has emerged in the Nagarik Unmukti Party, which on Wednesday removed its Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha—another sign of deepening internal disputes. Other parties, too, are facing their own share of challenges.
NC CWC meeting deferred due to factional dispute
Healthy criticism and open policy debate are vital in any democratic party, but the growing internal rifts within Nepal’s major parties are concerning. These divisions weaken national unity and hinder effective governance. It is imperative that political parties put the national interest above personal or factional agendas. To address these challenges, our parties must institutionalize internal democracy. This includes holding regular, transparent leadership elections at all levels, ensuring merit-based appointments over patronage, and empowering internal committees to resolve disputes fairly. Inclusive decision-making is essential—parties must involve all factions in policy formulation, create regular forums for open dialogue, and decentralize decision-making to provincial and local levels. Strengthening internal communication and transparency is also key. Parties should establish consistent communication channels, introduce open grievance mechanisms, and clarify internal rules and procedures. Above all, they must foster a culture of respect and unity by discouraging personality-driven politics, promoting constructive criticism, and embracing ideological diversity. These reforms can help build a shared vision and create stronger, more democratic, and more resilient political organizations—ultimately serving the best interests of the people and the country.
