Fortunate son Image via Nepalkhabar
On December 18th KP Sharma Oli was re-elected leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), securing a third term at a party convention. The 73-year-old, a four-time former prime minister, won by a wide margin, securing 1,663 votes to his main rival Ishwar Pokhrel’s 564. His victory was enabled by a change to party rules adopted in September that removed term limits and age restrictions on party leadership—widely viewed as tailored to Mr Oli. His slate dominated the party’s executive bodies, reinforcing his authority ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5th. The convention followed a politically charged autumn: deadly youth-led protests against corruption erupted on September 8th, resulting in over 70 deaths. Mr Oli resigned the following day and the subsequent dissolution of parliament intensified intra-party dissent, eventually compelling the leadership contest a year earlier than usual. ■
