Issues of national interest are our priority: PM Oli

By A Staff Reporter,Lalitpur, Sept. 6: Prime Minister and CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli has pledged that the government and party will continue to play a visible and decisive role in defending Nepal’s sovereignty, strengthening democracy and steering the country towards prosperity.

Addressing the inaugural session of the UML’s second statutory general convention in Godavari of Lalitpur on Friday, PM Oli declared that the party’s priority would remain firmly on issues of national interest, including disputed territories such as Kalapani, Lipulek and Limpiyadhura. “We must play a visible and audible role in the issues of Nepali lands, and we will be successful. We must engage in our reality rather than issues that no one likes. We will not stop playing a role in favour of the national interest,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that the government was working to preserve the best aspects of the past while laying foundations for the future. Urging unity within his party, he called on UML members to ensure a majority in the 2027 general elections, saying that the people will support it.

Party Chairman Oli also dismissed criticism from political opponents, remarking that the government’s focus on national interests often unsettled adversaries. “When we speak and work in favour of the nation, the chests of the opponents keep burning, and they start drinking water. No matter how annoyed they are, we do not stop working in favour of the country and the people,” he said.

The UML Chairman reiterated his position on the Lipulek border dispute, stating that Nepal’s concerns must be resolved directly with India. He revealed that he had already conveyed his disagreement to Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the trade route agreement signed between India and China over Lipulek. “During the bilateral talks with President Xi, I clearly disagreed with the agreement signed by India and China on the Lipulek trade route. Its audio and video are all there,” said PM Oli.

He highlighted that Nepal’s border issues should not be misinterpreted or ignored. “Our country’s border problem should be made visible and audible to the world. Based on that belief, I raised it with the Chinese President,” he said, adding that his upcoming visit to India would focus on seeking a diplomatic solution to the dispute.

According to PM Oli, President Xi responded by acknowledging Nepal’s sovereign authority and advised that the Nepal-India border issue should be resolved through dialogue. He also expressed support for Nepal’s territorial integrity.

The Prime Minister underlined that the government’s ultimate measure of success must be the happiness of citizens and the eradication of poverty.

“Real development and prosperity cannot be considered to have ended until poverty is eradicated from the country. Other prosperity achieved by keeping the people poor is meaningless. We are aware of that,” he said.

PM Oli maintained that his government was fully conscious of the challenges ahead, but insisted that prosperity and democracy were being strengthened with the support of the people. “We will not do any activity against the overall interest of humanity. Our focus is on strengthening the country’s prosperity and democracy,” he said.

Presenting his political report, Chairman Chairman Oli claimed that monarchist forces seeking to challenge the republic had been defeated. “The monarchists’ attempt to overthrow the republic has been thwarted. Overall, we are moving in the right direction,” he said.

The report also highlighted intensified efforts to protect national interests, strengthen external relations, and enhance Nepal’s role in international forums.

Meanwhile, UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel presented the organisational report, which revealed that the party currently has 662,961 organised members, a 30 per cent increase since its 10th General Convention. The party has formed 64,766 committees nationwide, with over 1.2 million members affiliated across different levels. Around 150,000 members are yet to be formally organised.

The report detailed the scale of UML’s structure, with 103 district committees, over 1,000 municipal committees, 7,760 ward committees, and nearly 56,000 tole committees across the country. It also mentioned 824 coordination committees and hundreds of liaison bodies abroad, reflecting the party’s broad outreach, including among the Nepali diaspora.

The UML’s foreign policy document reaffirmed the principle of an independent and balanced external outlook, guided by “friendship with all, enmity with none.” The seven-point framework emphasises comprehensive cooperation, result-oriented multilateralism, non-interference, and the use of modern technology to promote a just and equitable world order.

The document stressed that no country should impose its ideology or development model on others, and that pluralism must be respected in global politics. It also reaffirmed Nepal’s solidarity with underdeveloped and developing nations. “Nations may differ in land size, population or economic power, but all have the same sovereignty and national dignity,” the report stated.

Likewise, party vice president Bishnu Paudel presented statute amendment proposal. 

The second statutory convention began with a 12-minute inaugural programme featuring the live performance of an auspicious melody of prosperity, followed by digital displays of development scenes. Tributes were paid to martyrs, including Pushpalal Shrestha, Madan Bhandari, and Manmohan Adhikari. The programme also featured the national anthem, a mourning tune in memory of party leaders, and the Internationale.

Altogether 2,349 participants, including 2,033 participants are participating in the three-day convention.

During the inauguration ceremony on Friday, a pamphlet consisting a message of former President Bidya Bhandari was distributed outside the convention venue.