The CPN-UML opened its 11th general convention at Sallaghari, Bhaktapur to a mass of leaders and cadres on Saturday.
Party chair and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the convention by hoisting the party flag.
Leaders from various parties including acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka of Nepali Congress, Nepali Communist Party leader Dev Gurung, Rastriya Prajatantra Party chair Rajendra Lingden, Nepal Communist Party General Secretary Netra Bikram Chand, and Nagarik Unmukti Party chair Ranjita Shrestha attended the inaugural event to extend their greetings on the UML’s biggest event.
The party claims the gathering to be its largest so far, bringing in cadres from across the country on reserved vehicles. Over 2,200 delegates, including elected and nominated representatives, and 309 observers are taking part in the convention, which will elect the party’s new leadership.
Around 10,000 volunteers have been mobilised for management, according to the organiser. The convention will elect 15 office-bearers including the party chair and 251 central committee members.
Another 10 percent of members were nominated on Saturday but the rival faction led by Ishwar Pokhrel objected to the nomination of 108 representatives. Although the party statute mandates a general convention every five years, this one has been convened a year early citing special circumstances.
The party’s general convention comes after the Oli-led coalition government was overthrown by the Gen Z revolt.
The UML’s 10th convention was held in Chitwan in December 2021. As the statute and policy convention concluded in September, the Bhaktapur gathering is focused mainly on leadership selection.
Addressing the inaugural session, Oli talked about the September 8–9 Gen Z movement, cast doubt on the March 5 elections, laid out UML’s position for the restoration of the dissolved House of Representatives, spoke on issues of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and took up alleged national and foreign conspiracies against the party.
In his address, Oli, known for his nationalist posturing, said that the UML faces attacks when it stresses Nepal’s rights as an independent and sovereign nation.
He claimed that some entities believe that weakening the UML will weaken the sovereignty of the Nepali people. Both external and internal forces are working to weaken the UML, Oli alleged.
“Countries may be small or large in geography, they may be small or large in population, but the sovereignty of all is equal and equally respected. Some people feel, how dare a small country seek parity with us? And then there is an attack,” the four-time prime minister said.
“We say that diversity and plurality are our assets, not matters of division. We said that unity in diversity is our core mantra, and then we are attacked.
“We say the right to draft a constitution as a sovereign country is ours, the right to amend the constitution is ours. We say we will exercise, utilise, and make good use of our freedom. We say the right to choose the path for our country and its political system is ours. Some people don’t like this, and then we are attacked,” Oli rued.
Claiming that the country is making progress despite challenges like armed conflict, transition, and an earthquake, Oli said the country could not make the desired progress but the changes are visible.
Oli said that the forces working against the UML appear in various colours. “They sometimes appear expressing dissatisfaction, sometimes carrying the slogan of change… in different colours, calling it a colour revolution, but their goal is the same: to divide us and render us aimless.”
Elaborating on this, Oli said that the group which reacted intensely when the UML stood firm while promulgating the constitution was not happy.