Lalitpur: CPN (UML) Secretary Mahesh Basnet has officially launched a scathing critique of what he describes as a coordinated, foreign-backed misinformation campaign aimed at destabilizing his party’s leadership. Speaking at the commencement of the “Party Awakening Campaign” in Lalitpur this Saturday, Basnet argued that the CPN (UML) is currently the target of a sophisticated digital assault designed to smear high-ranking party officials. According to Basnet, this tactical campaign goes beyond mere political rivalry, representing an existential threat to the party’s reputation that must be addressed through a rigorous and ideological grassroots mobilization.
The core of Basnet’s accusation involves the alleged weaponization of digital platforms to incite civil unrest and promote radical activities. He pointed specifically to the political volatility witnessed on the 23rd and 24th of the previous year, labeling those events as direct attacks on the sovereignty and stability of Nepal. Basnet claimed that various digital portals and organizations—citing the ‘We Nepali Barbara Foundation,’ ‘American Youth Council,’ and specific Discord channels—are operating under the implicit influence of foreign powers. He further alleged that these platforms served as hubs for extremist indoctrination, providing instruction on incendiary tactics such as bomb-making and the destruction of government and private property.
Basnet did not hold back in his defense of party leadership, dismissing the ongoing legal and ethical controversies surrounding Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Vice-Chairman Bishnu Paudel as politically motivated fabrications. He vehemently rejected allegations against Paudel regarding land and industrial shares, characterizing the move as a vindictive stratagem employed by the current administration. Basnet warned that the UML would not remain passive, asserting that the party is keeping a detailed, retaliatory “account” of these actions and intends to settle political scores against those responsible for what he deems a malicious smear campaign.
The Secretary’s rhetoric escalated as he painted a picture of a nation where criminals are shielded by those in power. Referencing the destruction of key institutions, including the Supreme Court and Singha Durbar, Basnet suggested that the individuals responsible for this chaos have escaped accountability. He specifically targeted figures like Balen Shah and Sudan Gurung, taking issue with their previous rhetoric regarding the immediate arrest of Chairman Oli. Basnet mocked their credibility, questioning the origins of their wealth and the legitimacy of their recent actions, suggesting that those involved in such perceived “misdeeds” would eventually face their own downfall.
Looking forward, Basnet articulated the primary objectives of the newly inaugurated “Party Awakening Campaign.” He noted that the initiative is designed to be a two-phase process: first, clarifying the current political confusion among the party’s own cadres and internal leadership, and second, extending that message of ideological clarity to the general public. By empowering the rank and file to counter the digital “terror” and misinformation propagated online, the party hopes to reframe the national discourse and insulate its leadership from what Basnet characterized as the current administration’s baseless, power-hungry accusations.
In his concluding remarks, Basnet issued a stern declaration of intent, promising that the CPN (UML) would present a robust and unified front against its political detractors. He emphasized that the party would not retreat in the face of ideological warfare, asserting that the awakening campaign serves as the launchpad for a more aggressive organizational posture. By centering the party’s narrative around the concepts of national defense and organizational integrity, Basnet aim to galvanize party supporters against what he views as an orchestrated effort to dismantle the CPN (UML) influence in Nepal’s shifting political landscape.