Panel rivalry heats up ahead of UML general convention

KP Oli loyalists tout support of seven top leaders. Ishwar Pokhrel camp dismisses the claim as unfounded.

Internal divisions have widened in the CPN-UML ahead of its 11th general convention, scheduled for December 13-15. Party chair and four-time prime minister KP Sharma Oli, and Senior Vice-chairman Ishwar Pokhrel, have both declared their candidacy for party leadership and started forming respective panels down to the district level, setting the stage for a heated contest.