March 31, Kathmandu – Controversial statements made by parliamentary party leader Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal during the first meeting of the House of Representatives have caused significant upheaval within the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), UML. Contrary to the party’s official stance, Badal leveled accusations ranging from the Nepal Army and bureaucracy to foreign organizations. He devalued the assembly itself by alleging that the election results were the outcome of a conspiracy involving these entities. Senior UML leaders have expressed objections to Badal’s remarks. As a result, the UML convened an urgent secretariat meeting on Friday afternoon at the party office in Chyasal to hold a serious discussion regarding his statements.
Badal was appointed leader of the UML parliamentary party only on Wednesday. Although there were internal questions about his leadership, he was confirmed as the leader. In the first House meeting today, Thapa spoke for 6 minutes and 17 seconds, casting deep doubts on the election outcomes on behalf of UML. Vice-chairman Bishnu Prasad Paudel announced via social media that the secretariat meeting would seriously discuss these remarks and arrive at an appropriate conclusion. Paudel also shared the notice for the secretariat meeting online.
“The views expressed today by UML parliamentary party leader Ram Bahadur Thapa in the House do not align with the party’s established policies and beliefs. A thorough discussion will take place at the upcoming central secretariat meeting, and appropriate decisions are expected,” Paudel wrote on Facebook. Prior to Paudel’s statement, UML General Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai expressed opposition to Thapa’s address. He refuted Thapa’s comments and reaffirmed UML’s respect and trust in state mechanisms including the Nepal Army, judiciary, and bureaucracy. “Our party holds no hostility toward security forces like the Nepal Army, constitutional bodies such as the judiciary, or the bureaucratic system; our respect and confidence for them remain unwavering,” Bhattarai emphasized.
Addressing parliament, acting chairman Thapa attributed the success of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) to the roles of the army, bureaucracy, the government led by Sushila Karki, the investigation commission led by Gauribahadur Karki, the Barbara Foundation, and other institutions. “On September 7 and 8 (Bhadra 23 and 24 in the Nepali calendar), an illegal color revolution succeeded under Raswapa’s undisclosed leadership. The general election held on February 3 (Fagun 21) legitimized this blue revolution,” Thapa asserted.
According to Badal, invisible foreign powers also played a crucial role in securing the magically engineered victory for Raswapa. “For what purpose did the armed TOBs (temporarily organized battalions) mysteriously surface on September 7 and 8? Why were former prime ministers and home ministers unlawfully arrested?” he questioned. Reading from a prepared speech, Thapa mainly argued that the rise of Raswapa did not come from genuine public will. Although leaders have accepted defeat on social media, a formal review within the party is pending. “Until now, UML believes the elections were peaceful and fair,” said an official.
“However, our Member of Parliament raised questions about the election process today in parliament. A serious internal discussion will follow,” he added. According to him, the statements made by Thapa are refutable, which prompted the urgent meeting. “UML is a party that trusts state mechanisms. No evidence of electoral fraud has surfaced so far. Under such circumstances, his remarks are clearly disputable,” he asserted.
Thapa’s parliamentary address stated: Honorable Speaker, I first pay homage to all known and unknown martyrs of Bhadra 23 and 24 who sacrificed their invaluable lives for national sovereignty, democracy, republic, federalism, peace, and prosperity. On these dates, an illegal color revolution succeeded under Raswapa’s undisclosed leadership. The general election on Falgun 21 granted legitimacy to the blue revolution. On Chaitra 13, a grand religious ritual led to the swearing-in of Shri Balendra Shah as Prime Minister. I extend heartfelt congratulations to Raswapa and the honorable Prime Minister Balendra Shah on behalf of UML for this historic victory. The decisive actors behind this unprecedented triumph included the Nepal Army, bureaucracy, the Sushila government, the Karki commission, the Barbara Foundation, and other institutions and individuals. I sincerely congratulate them on behalf of UML. External powers, TOBs, AI, and algorithms that labeled the heroes of nationalism, democracy, republic, federalism, peace and prosperity as enemies played an instrumental role in this victory. This scientific victory raises serious questions: Why were the Singha Durbar, Sheetal Niwas, Baluwatar, Supreme Court, political leadership’s private residences, police stations, and commercial establishments burned? Who incited naive students to breach restricted zones? Why did armed TOBs appear on September 7 and 8? Why were former prime ministers and home ministers unlawfully detained? What is the meaning behind plans to arrest political leaders? Why did nationwide repression and terror increase? Why was media trial and cyber terror fabricated? The answers to these questions will be revealed in time. We will continuously question the state about these issues and raise our voices in this House. I congratulate and wish well to the opposition including Nepali Congress, UML, CPN, Labour Culture Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and independent honorable members. Finally, this unprecedented victory has taught a serious lesson to the defeated camp and given them a chance to rectify their shortcomings. This defeat is temporary and will soon turn into victory through learning. Thank you.
