KATHMANDU, Nov. 30 -- Power dynamics inside the CPN-UML shifted sharply on Saturday as Vice-Chair Bishnu Poudel and Deputy General Secretary Prithvi Subba Gurung abandoned their long-held neutrality and declared support for Party Chair KP Sharma Oli.

The declaration came on the day the party held a meeting to select nearly 1,200 representatives for next month's General Convention.

Poudel and Gurung were until now seen maintaining parallel distance with both Oli and senior vice-chair Ishwar Pokhrel, who is challenging Oli for party chairmanship.

Their last-minute declaration is expected to "maintain unity" and prevent deeper polarization during delegate selection, which will shape the balance of power at the General Convention.

However...