UML Leads, NC Must Act

The country’s second-largest party, the CPN-UML, has concluded its 11th General Convention in a grand manner. At a time when it was widely believed that major political party activities had stalled following the Gen Z uprising, the UML has not only revived itself but also sent a message of renewal to almost all political parties. By selecting new leadership through an electoral process during the convention, the party has once again projected itself as a formidable political force. KP Sharma Oli, who was forced out of office as the country’s elected prime minister following the Gen Z movement on September 8 and the arson, looting, and vandalism on September 9, has reaffirmed his dominance by securing a “hat-trick” as party chair. Except for two office-bearers aligned with senior leader Ishwar Pokhrel, most elected officials are seen as close to Oli. Although he has long faced accusations of unilateralism within the party, Oli has demonstrated through an open electoral process that he retains a strong grip over the UML. It is now time for the largest party, Nepali Congress (NC), in the erstwhile House of Representatives (HoR), to hold its General Convention at the earliest opportunity and elect new leadership or reaffirm its legitimacy through the convention in line with the spirit of the recent Gen Z movement. This will allow the NC to demonstrate its commitment to the genuine agenda of Gen Z, regardless of who is elected.