Bamdev Gautam criticizes UML leaders for Kathmandu-centric politics

KATHMANDU: Senior leader of CPN (Unified Socialist), Bamdev Gautam, has criticized his party’s leadership for being overly Kathmandu-centric, arguing that this tendency has weakened the party’s organizational base.

Speaking at a seminar titled “Socialism with Nepali Characteristics in the Present Context” held in Kathmandu on Sunday, Gautam said that all top leaders residing only in the capital has harmed the party’s grassroots strength.

He stressed the need for assigning responsibilities to every party member and labeled those who fail to follow the party’s policies and principles as “fake communists.” According to him, members must understand socialism, work to build it under current conditions, and take responsibility for reaching the people.

Gautam further remarked that unless top leaders engage directly with the public, enthusiasm among party workers cannot be sustained.

Expressing dissatisfaction, he said that even after two months of joining the party, he had not been given any responsibility.

Emphasizing that communist parties cannot function without principles, he also underlined the necessity of intra-party struggle.