Kathmandu, Sept 8: The second statute convention of the CPN-UML, which began last Friday, has concluded. The convention, held at Sunrise Conference Center in Godavari, Lalitpur, endorsed party chairman KP Sharma Oli’s political report, vice-chair Bishnu Paudel’s statute amendment proposal, general secretary Shankar Pokharel’s organizational report, along with the reports from other commissions.
The most debated issue throughout the convention was the renewal of former president Bidya Devi Bhandari’s party membership. The reports presented at the convention did not make any decision on the matter. Leaders said this effectively upheld the central committee’s earlier decision not to renew her membership. The report itself, however, remained silent on the issue.
Instead, the convention removed the provision setting a 70-year age limit for leadership roles within the UML. It also scrapped the two-term limit for party chairman. With this, KP Sharma Oli now has a legal path open to run again for the chairmanship.
All reports had been presented last Friday. On Saturday, discussions were held in 10 separate groups. On Sunday, those groups presented their feedback.
Presenting his group’s views, Sudurpaschim Province Committee chairman Krishna Prasad Jaishi said there was no alternative to KP Sharma Oli for party leadership at the moment.
Karnali Province chairman and group leader Gulab Jung Shah said it was a time to further consolidate the leadership.
Lumbini Province chairman and group leader Radhakrishna Kandel stressed that leadership must be firmly established to build socialism on the basis of Nepali characteristics. For that, the party must move forward united.
Gandaki Province vice-chair and group leader Min Prasad Gurung said the reports provided a clear roadmap to achieve the national aspiration of a prosperous Nepal and happy Nepalis.
Bagmati Province chairman and group leader Kailash Dhungel said most members in his group supported removing the 70-year age bar and the two-term limit for chairman through statute amendment. A few members, he added, suggested that the provisions should not be removed.
Madhes Province chairman and group leader Chandreshwar Mandal said the upcoming convention should once again give leadership to KP Sharma Oli.
“At a time when the party is under all-round attack from domestic and foreign forces, the next convention must reappoint Oli to consolidate leadership,” Mandal said.
Koshi Province chairman and group leader Ghanshyam Khatri said the provisions to remove the 70-year age bar and two-term limit, proposed by vice-chair Bishnu Paudel, were welcomed.
He also shared the suggestion that individuals elected or appointed as president, vice-president, or to constitutional commissions should be barred by both party statute and national constitution from returning to day-to-day politics.
After the leadership responded to the issues raised in the group discussions, the convention was declared closed.
People’s News Monitoring Service
Login to add a comment