CPN-UML National Convention to Address Electoral Defeat and Organizational Issues

Kathmandu. CPN-UML has organized a national convention in Kathmandu on Mangsir 2 and 3 to address the disappointment and organizational chaos that has gripped the party's leaders and cadres following its shameful defeat in the House of Representatives elections held on Falgun 21. The UML has stated that preparations for the two-day national cadre convention, focused on organizational restructuring, political direction, and preparations for local level elections, are in full swing.

A meeting of the National Convention Management Committee was held at the party office in Chasal on Friday, with the presence of General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, to discuss the preparations for the convention. The UML's Organization Department will lead the two-day convention. Bhanubhakta Dhakal, who is also a secretary of the UML and head of the Organization Department, informed that the preparations for the convention are in the final stages. 'The preparations for the convention are almost in the final stage,' he said, 'More than three thousand leaders, cadres, and people's representatives are expected to participate in the convention.' The UML believes that the convention will bring about a sense of awakening in the party and add enthusiasm to the leaders and cadres. 'We believe that after this convention, enthusiasm will be generated in CPN-UML, and uniformity will be added to the organizational work and understanding,' said Secretary Dhakal, 'After the convention, the party's words and deeds will be the same.' Furthermore, as the local level elections are approaching, the UML has stated that including the elected chiefs from the local levels in the convention will make it easier to understand the party's ground-level situation. Leaders of the UML have stated that various tasks outlined by the party's central committee meeting held recently will also be discussed during the two-day convention. The UML Central Committee meeting held from Ashoj 5-8 had decided to expand the organization to basic classes and communities, make the organization based on planned work and evaluation, establish youth and women in party responsibilities, decision-making processes, and leadership, and revitalize the party, among other decisions. It had put forward the role of the opposition, digital protest, and continuous struggle as future tasks. As part of party revitalization, the UML plans to increase the self-confidence and public relations of every cadre, and link the role of the opposition with civil rights and people's livelihoods. The UML has stated that it will continue digital protests until the victory of truth and continue the struggle until the destination of a prosperous Nepal, a happy Nepali is reached. The UML has stated that 3,164 people, including central committee members, representatives of central bodies, provincial and district committee officials, municipal committee chairpersons and vice-chairpersons, representatives of people's organizations, and elected representatives at various levels, will participate in the convention. Party Chairman KP Sharma Oli will inaugurate the convention, and he will deliver a speech prioritizing the current political situation, the party's political perspective, and the future work plan, informed Dhakal, the coordinator of the convention management committee. According to him, senior leader and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari will address the convention. In addition, Vice-Chairman Bishnu Poudel will discuss the work and achievements of the government led by the UML, and General Secretary Shankar Pokharel is preparing to present a working paper on party purification, strengthening, and the upcoming election work plan. The UML views the convention as an opportunity to develop a uniform understanding within the party ranks, activate the organization, and bring about rejuvenation in party life. The UML expects that the convention will create an environment for the unified and systematic completion of ward and municipal conventions. The first meeting of the UML Standing Committee held on Ashoj 22 had decided to hold the ward committee convention on Mangsir 26 and the municipal committee convention on Poush 4. After municipal and ward conventions, the UML will hold provincial conventions.