Oli Returns: Leads Nepal's Communist Party for Third Term, Defying Critics

• K.P. Sharma Oli re-elected chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) for a third consecutive term.
• Secured a decisive victory with 1,663 votes against his sole challenger, Ishwar Pokharel, who received 564 votes.
• This triumph comes months after youth-led "Gen Z protests" in September 2025 ousted his government and led to political uncertainty.
• Despite calls from some leaders to step aside, Oli demonstrated overwhelming support among party delegates at the 11th general convention in Kathmandu.
• Oli now leads CPN-UML into a period of political uncertainty ahead of the scheduled March 2026 general elections, focusing on restoring parliament.

Why It Matters: K.P. Sharma Oli secures third term as CPN-UML chairman, defying past protests and critics.