Kathmandu, Sept. 21 -- UML's internal debate over leadership has moved from a discussion on organisational reform to a direct challenge to party chair KP Sharma Oli.

The dispute intensified following the party's poor performance in the March 5 elections and the political upheaval that followed last year's Gen Z-led protests. Senior leaders, including vice-chair Bishnu Paudel and general secretary Shankar Pokhrel, have argued that the party needs changes in its policies, organisation and leadership.

The issue is not entirely new. But it became more contentious after Pokhrel proposed that Oli should take the initiative to hand over the leadership as part of a broader party reorganisation.

Oli has rejected the idea. The debate has since p...