Maoist and UML workers have resorted to fistfights and worse as they compete for support. UML workers were badly beaten at Ratnapark after a gang fight erupted between the two groups just a few months before the People's War. Maoists killed eight UML cadres in June 1996 by burning them alive in Harganj of Rolpa. In the last 10 years, hundreds of UML workers have been attacked by Maoists, who accused them of working as government spies. The Maoists have now shelved their military activities and are actively organising their political activities but they are politically weaker than the UML, especially in the cities where the Maoists are desperate to make their presence felt. As a result, Maoist cadres are now constantly trying to undermine the UML.

The conflict between the two parties often breaks out among their affiliated student unions at ASCOL and Tri Chandra colleges in Kathmandu and in other cities. Maoist cadres are often seen pasting their posters and banners over those of the UML and that party's students have accused Maoist students of ordering their military personnel to attack them. Maoist student leader Lekhnath Neupane says he wants such conflict to end because the UML agenda is closer to the Maoist one than is any other party platform. But the UML says that the Maoist students have not given up their military attitudes and activities.