KATHMANDU, Nov 26: The 11th National General Convention of the CPN-UML is expected to see tough competition in the selection of leadership representatives. In the past, general convention representatives were selected unanimously. This time, however, the party has allowed representatives to be chosen through consensus as much as possible, and if not, through election.
Representatives will be selected on November 29, and the list of candidates competing for representative positions in various districts has already been made public. This makes it clear that there will also be competition for the top leadership. Chair KP Sharma Oli is aiming for a hat-trick as party chair, while Senior Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokhrel has announced his candidacy for chairperson.
The statute convention held on September 7 paved the way for Oli to serve a third term as chair. Since then, leaders from Oli’s camp have been preparing a panel. While Oli has emphasized selecting representatives and leadership through consensus as much as possible, he has also stated that he will not prevent anyone from competing.
A few days ago, at a secretariat meeting, Senior Vice-Chair Pokhrel said he would stake his claim for party chair and urged Oli to act as a guardian. In response, Oli said everyone was free to compete. In an interview with Nagarik Frontline, Oli again emphasized that everyone is free to contest in the convention.
After Pokhrel announced on Tuesday that he would run for chair, the Oli camp became cautious. This group instructed lower-level party bodies to select representatives who support Oli. Pokhrel, meanwhile, has been meeting his close leaders repeatedly. Former President Bidya Bhandari has endorsed Pokhrel as chairperson.
At a time when many UML leaders doubted Pokhrel could contest for chair, he declared his candidacy, stating that Bhandari should be granted party membership. His announcement is expected to influence the selection of representatives as well. The 11th Central General Convention will be held in Kathmandu from December 13 to 15.
Speaking to Nagarik Frontline, Oli said he will become chair for the third time, citing the demand of party cadres. Pokhrel, on the other hand, said the party needs to move toward restructuring. “Accepting the requests and suggestions from comrades across the country for party reorganization and transformation, I have announced my candidacy for chair,” Pokhrel said.
During his announcement, he stated that he is committed to “developing the CPN-UML into a decisive national force by assigning responsibilities to party comrades based on their qualifications, abilities, and preferences through collective leadership and initiative.” He added, “Respecting the principles of internal party democracy that he himself set, I expect Party Chair Comrade KP Sharma Oli to play a positive role in the transfer of leadership. I request the party chair to provide a smooth way forward through a guardianship role.”
Pokhrel also urged party members to exercise sound judgment in selecting representatives. “Preparations for the UML’s 11th National General Convention have begun. Representative selection will take place across the country and abroad on November 29 with the direct participation of party members. I sincerely call on party members to actively participate in the selection with discipline, dignity, and confidence,” he said.
In his long and emotive statement, Pokhrel expressed respect for the youths who voiced dissatisfaction over governance and accountability during the September 8–9 Gen Z protests.
“I respect the movement of the new generation on September 8 demanding an end to corruption and the establishment of good governance,” Pokhrel said. He also condemned the infiltration and vandalism that occurred during the same protest, calling for an impartial investigation. “I strongly condemn the infiltration that took place later and the destruction on September 9. I demand a fair, fact-based investigation and strict action against those responsible,” he added.
Pokhrel had initially intended to announce his candidacy in the presence of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, but ultimately chose to release the statement independently. He said the decision reflected his long-standing commitment to integrity and collective leadership. “I have always placed the nation, the people, and the party above everything. I believe in law, coordination, collective effort, and collaboration—not merely in power,” he wrote.
He further noted that the political and organizational documents endorsed at the UML’s second Statutory General Convention, held from September 5 to 7, must be reassessed in light of the political transformation following the Gen Z protests of September 8–9, which toppled the UML-led government headed by KP Sharma Oli and paved the way for the citizen-led government under former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. Reflecting on the same convention, which had consolidated Oli’s dominance within the party, Pokhrel added, “Some of our earlier conclusions need updating.”
Pokhrel stressed that the UML must now prioritize strengthening internal democracy, emphasizing the need to reinstate the two-term limit for the party’s top leadership. “Leadership development and transition must follow a clear, democratic process,” he said.