UML's Statute Convention

Putting internal differences to rest, the second statute convention of CPN-UML concluded on Sunday. It has picked a new slogan – our resolve to build a decisive national force: a prosperous Nepal, happy Nepali. The three-day UML jamboree, attended by delegates from across the country, was viewed with curiosity as some of its stalwarts had earlier demanded leadership change. However, the convention brushed aside such a line of opinion, asserting the leadership of incumbent chair KP Sharma Oli for the next five years. It also dismissed media reports that the party is abandoning its guiding principle – the People’s Multiparty Democracy (PMD) – propounded by the late Madan Bhandari. Instead, the conclave decided to adopt socialism with Nepali characteristics based on the PMD. 

The convention unanimously approved the political report of chairman Oli, the statute amendment proposal of vice-chair Bishnu Prasad Paudel and the organisational report of general secretary Shankar Pokharel, and four reports presented by the party’s various central wings. It had formed ten groups of representatives to deliberate and offer suggestions on them. It endorsed 29-point proposals on issues of public importance, such as nationality, political stability, good governance, development, solutions to farmers’ problems, rehabilitation of natural disaster victims, control of price hikes during festivals, climate change, and migration. Likewise, they dwell upon the constitution amendment, social justice, end of discrimination against Dalits and women, settlement of Lipulek dispute, protection of rights of Nepali diasporas, employment generation and expansion of irrigation facilities. 

It formed a 25-member Central Election Commission headed by Dr. Bijay Subba. The amended statute has brought changes to the party’s organisational structure and the size of various central layer bodies. It has removed the 70-year age limit for holding executive party posts, including chairperson and general secretary. This has cleared the deck for Oli to retain the top position for the third consecutive term. It has slashed the number of central committee members from 301 to 251. The post of senior vice-chair has been rescinded. It was created during the 10th party convention and Ishwor Pokharel is now holding this post. However, the statute amendments will come into effect only after the party’s upcoming convention endorses them. Addressing the convention, Oli noted that PMD was the Nepali version of Marxism and provided guidance to every sector of Nepali society. Stating that the party is unlikely to lay the foundation of socialism merely on the basis of traditional jargon, chair Oli called for taking the party’s right policy and thoughts to the people so that it would evolve into a decisive national power. 

The convention took place 14 months after the formation of the joint government of the Nepali Congress and the UML. It has appreciated the two-party alliance, citing that it has established political stability and brought the derailed economy back on track. However, the coalition government has yet to take the initiative to amend the constitution, the very basis of its formation. The national meet has re-energised the party rank and file, as it has already launched Mission 84 to garner a majority in the upcoming general elections. Despite being in the driving seat of the government, PM Oli faces emerging challenges such as the Gen Z's movement against corruption and the ban on social networking sites. Emboldened by the mandate of the statute convention, Oli is expected to steer the nation further with his able leadership.