Submit your Article

Nepal's Ambassador to Qatar and Non-Residential Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ramesh Chandra Paudel, presented his letters of credence to the President of Iran Dr Masoud Pezeshkian amidst a special function in Tehran. 

In a courtesy meeting after presenting his letters of credence, Ambassador Paudel stated that Nepal and Iran have enjoyed friendly ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations and added that there were possibilities of mutual cooperation in the areas of investment, trade, tourism, agriculture, and education. 

Likewise, Ambassador Paudel conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of President Ram Chandra Paudel from the people of Nepal for the personal health and happiness of the President of Iran and the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Iran.

On the occasion, the Iranian President asked Nepal's Ambassador Paudel to convey his greetings and best wishes to the President of Nepal and the people of Nepal for their continued progress and prosperity, according to the Embassy of Nepal in Qatar.

Four years ago, Madhav Kumar Nepal and his team left the CPN-UML, citing the lack of intra-party democracy and Party Chairperson KP Sharma Oli’s monopoly over the party and government. They also opposed the dissolution of Parliament, siding instead with Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Ironically, Nepal, now leading the CPN (Unified Socialist), faces similar accusations from his own senior leaders. Although the Special Court has filed corruption cases against him, he has refused to step down as party chair. In 2008, Nepal had resigned from the UML chairpersonship, taking responsibility for the party’s poor performance in the first Constituent Assembly elections. Today, his party is already weak, and growing internal rifts threaten to worsen its position ahead of upcoming local and national elections. Many leaders and cadres are preparing to return to the UML, seeing no future in the CPN (US). Meanwhile, the UML is actively working to lure them back.

Inside the party, a two-line struggle has emerged between Nepal and senior leader Jhala Nath Khanal. A few weeks ago, Khanal publicly admitted that the party split could not be justified, a sentiment echoed by several leaders. This angered Nepal, who suggested Khanal leave the party, claiming he had no political or moral grounds to remain. Khanal, in turn, has hardened his stance, calling on Nepal to step down due to the corruption case and proposing the appointment of an acting chair. Dissatisfaction has spread within the party over Nepal’s refusal to relinquish leadership.

A new twist emerged when former senior UML leader Bam Dev Gautam, who had maintained an independent position since the 2021 split, joined the CPN (US). Initially, Gautam wanted to rejoin the UML, but Oli did not welcome him. Now in the CPN (US), Gautam says he has requested the role of organizational head, but the leadership has yet to take a call on his request. He has since aligned with Khanal in pressuring Nepal, and the two have held multiple rounds of talks.

Nepal remains firm that splitting from the UML was the right choice. “We took the right steps as we stood against those who breached the constitution. We came to the streets, and we knocked on the court’s door. The decision to split the party is justified,” he said. In response to the mounting pressure, he has postponed key party meetings. Meanwhile, talks between the CPN (US) and the
CPN (Maoist Centre) are ongoing. The Maoists have formally proposed party unification, though the CPN (US) has yet to decide.

This week, Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Ghana Shyam Bhushal held lengthy discussions, although Shrestha is not officially authorized to negotiate unification. However, Maoist Chair Dahal has told his party that talks with Nepal are progressing positively. The CPN (US), despite having 10 seats in the national parliament, has yet to gain national party status. On Saturday, Nepal and Khanal met for over an hour to resolve their differences, but made no progress. The widening rift within the CPN (US) is likely to benefit the CPN-UML, which continues working to draw away its leaders and cadres.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that his party has not prioritized the issue of joining the government.

Talking to the media in Chitwan today, the Maoist Center Chairman argued that some people were making interpretations as if the Maoist Center was expecting to join the government while the party was criticizing the wrongdoings of the government. 

"This government is not performing well. We should not interpret as if we are willing to join the government while raising issues about the government's performance. We are not expecting to join the government. We are not concerned about this," the Maoist Center Chairman elaborated. 

On the occasion, he said that his party would resume the party strengthening campaign along the Mid-Hill Highway after a month adding that the party would push for new agendas after holding its central committee meeting. 

"So, we have oriented our party to listen to the people's voices now instead of the government. The campaign is being resumed to address the people's concerns," Prachanda stated. 

Likewise, the Maoist Centre Chairman shared that his party was intact after the recently concluded standing committee meeting and the meeting's decisions would be firmly implemented.

In a separate context, he voiced support for expediting the construction works of the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium in Bharatpur.

Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that Gender sensitivity is an important issue of overall social transformation.

At a workshop on gender sensitivity organized by the Nepali Congress at its central office, Sanepa, today, President Deuba said that a respectful, safe and inclusive society can be built if we all become sensitive on this matter. "The party will initiate necessary efforts to implement the ideas and suggestions related to gender sensitivity based on collaboration and coordination with all sides concerned." 

Sharing that social democratic political parties of various countries are associated with the social democracy network, he added this network has been making contemporary political, economic and social debate of the Asian region deeper and broader.    

Social democracy has been working as a strong platform for making inclusive law based on development, equality and justice, he stressed. 

On the occasion, NC President Deuba remembered Nepali Congress leader and founding President of Nepal Women's Association, Mangala Devi Singh, adding that Singh struggled for establishing women's right to vote in the first municipal council election held in 2004 BS.

Similarly, NC Joint General-Secretary Bhishma Raj Angdambe laid emphasis on the need of making gender equality effective while another Joint General-Secretary Mahalaxmi Upadhyay said gender equality is the matter of concern of all, not only of women.  

President of Nepal Women's Association, Usha Rawat, pointed out the need of making society aware about gender equality.