Kathmandu, December 26
The CPN-UML has expelled former Vice-Chairperson Bhim Rawal from the party’s organised membership.
A Secretariat meeting on Wednesday made the decision to remove Rawal from the party. According to Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali, Rawal consistently issued statements that weakened the party, prompting this action.
“Comrade Bhim Rawal contested for the chairmanship during the general convention but declined the proposal to take up the vice-chairperson position. He also refused to join as a central member and was subsequently assigned as an advisor under our statutory provisions,” said Gyawali. “However, he did not fulfill his responsibilities as an advisor and continued to make statements that weakened the party rather than strengthening it. Thus, the decision was made to release him from organised membership.”
Rawal recently opposed the party’s decision to accept its central office building from businessperson Min Bahadur Gurung. Following this, on October 21, the UML had sought explanations from Rawal, Standing Committee Member Dr Binda Pandey, and Central Member Ushakiran Timalsena.
While Pandey and Timalsena submitted their clarifications, Rawal did not respond. In Wednesday’s Secretariat meeting, the party decided to suspend both Pandey and Timalsena from their responsibilities for six months.
“They did provide explanations, but there was no realisation that their public remarks, made outside party procedures, were inappropriate,” Gyawali explained. “As a result, they have been directed to adhere to party discipline and have been relieved of their responsibilities for six months.”
