A tale of two conventions

The public wanted the younger generation to take over the leadership from the ageing, corrupt incumbents.

In the last six weeks, Nepal held two of the most important conventions in its political calendar: One, of the country's largest party in Parliament, the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist), the UML; and two, of its oldest party, the Nepali Congress, NC. The conventions attracted considerable media attention. The public wanted the younger generation in both parties to take over the leadership from the ageing, corrupt incumbents; but they did not believe the conventions would do that. Near the end of the NC's leadership elections, it looked like the unexpected may happen, but it did not.