Kathmandu, May 11 -- UML, once under the iron grip of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, has arrived at a situation where the party chairman is significantly weakened despite his seemingly unchallenged position in the central organisation.

Senior leaders, particularly those close to Oli, have ruled out any factional rivalry in the party reorganised by the Chitwan convention in 2022.

But some recent incidents suggest otherwise.

The facade of unity erodes when it comes to the party's local and provincial chapters. There are reports of rival groups clashing in various districts over leadership selection.

Even those who worked as comrades until a few years ago have engaged in violent acts to defeat each other.

According to leaders and cadres,...