Largest parties NC, UML engage in general convention

Nepal’s two largest traditional parties, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are set to hold their general convention within a couple of months. Nepali Congress during its central committee meeting held in Sanepa of Lalitpur district, Monday decided to hold its 15th general convention in Kathmandu from January 10-12 next year. The party took the decision after a month long marathon meetings of the central body of the party on whether to hold the general convention before or after the March 5 general election.

CPN-UML is already gearing up for the party’s 11th general convention to be held in Kathmandu from December 13-15. Deposed Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli is seeking a third term as party chairman, while senior Vice-chairman of the party Ishwor Pokharel is set to challenge his bid as he has already announced his candidacy for the top post. As Pokharel is said to have backing from former President Bidya Devi Bhandari for his candidacy, Oli will have a tough fight this time for grabbing the top post of the party.

Altogether, around 2,200 delegates are expected to participate in the upcoming General Convention of the CPN-UML.

Unlike UML chief Oli, Nepali Congress president and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will not be a candidate this time as the party’s statute doesn’t permit any one to seek for a third consecutive term for presidency. Deuba, who along with his wife Arzu Rana Deuba, got seriously injured during the Gen Z movement in September. After the incident, Deuba renounced his post by appointing his close associate Purna Bahadur Khadka as the acting president of the party before traveling to Singapore for treatment. However, after returning home, Deuba got involved in the internal affairs of the party.

As there two factions within the party, one preferring to hold general convention before the House of Representative elections and another faction, to postpone it till the general election. Party insiders say that with the intervention of Deuba, the party decided to hold the general convention before the Parliamentary election.

Around 4,800 delegates will participate in the 15th general convention of the Nepali Congress party, party sources said. Party’s general secretary Gagan Thapa, senior leaders Bimalendra Nidhi, Prakash Man Singh and Shekhar Koirala are among the aspirants, likely to contest for the party’s presidency in the next general convention.