KATHMANDU, Jan 10: The CPN-UML has launched simultaneous preparations for elections and possible street protests, signalling a twin-track political strategy ahead of the March general elections. For the first time since its 11th General Convention, the party has issued an Inter-Party Directive, instructing subordinate committees to be ready for both electoral contests and movements.
Through the 33-page Inter-Party Directive–1 (Circular), which outlines the party’s internal direction and future course, UML committees have been told to prepare for protests should elections fail to take place.
Issued on Wednesday, the circular also places strong emphasis on digital campaigning, calling on party units at all levels to prioritise online outreach. Citing the rapid expansion of information technology and its growing influence across all sectors, the UML has concluded that digital platforms are now indispensable for political mobilisation.
“Imperialist and hegemonic forces are attempting to maintain dominance through the use of information technology,” the circular states, alleging that technology is being weaponised to weaken patriotic governments, anti-capitalist forces and independent nations.
It further claims that the misuse of information technology has increasingly been used to undermine legitimate state power, orchestrate so-called “colour revolutions” through a “deep state,” and install puppet governments to serve vested interests. “In this process, anarchism and populism are being deliberately promoted in society,” the document says.
The circular argues that recent attempts to build new political forces in Nepal should be viewed through this lens. “In such circumstances, to ensure the success of our objectives and plans, we too must place special emphasis on the use of information technology,” it states, directing every party leader and cadre to treat social media as a key arena of party work.
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The UML has instructed its ranks to actively disseminate the achievements of the party and the party-led government, as well as its policies, programmes and organisational activities, through social media platforms. During elections, the party’s policies, commitments and candidates are also to be promoted online through well-planned, institutionalised campaigns.
The circular lays out detailed plans ranging from taking the message of the general convention to the grassroots to youth mobilisation and a clearer division of responsibilities among leaders. With the upcoming election scheduled for March 5 in view, the party has announced a youth-centric campaign aimed at drawing young people into the UML fold.
Youth Association Chair Kshitij Thebe has been appointed as the central coordinator of the campaign, with Samik Badal named as co-coordinator. Separate provincial coordinators have also been designated: Manoj Tamli in Koshi, Mobin Alam in Madhesh, Amit Lama in Bagmati, RC Lamichhane in Gandaki, Bimala BK in Lumbini, Dansingh Pariyar in Karnali and Kamala Bohara in Sudurpaschim.
The party has also formed an Election Mobilisation Committee under the coordination of Ram Bahadur Thapa, and a Manifesto Drafting Committee led by party chair KP Sharma Oli. “Under any circumstances, the party ranks must be prepared to go into elections and advance the election as a form of movement,” the circular states.
Emphasising that the present era is driven by information technology, the directive reiterates the need for effective use of social media. It also addresses organisational matters such as forming a National Volunteer Force and Tole Security Committees, editing and publishing the amended statute, and establishing a Central Advisory Council.
To further strengthen party organisation and improve responsibility-sharing, the UML has called a Central Committee (CC) meeting. The first CC meeting after the 11th National General Convention, held on December 19, had decided to convene the second CC meeting on January 10, 11 and 12.
Accordingly, the meeting will begin on Saturday, UML Central Office Secretary Bhishma Adhikari said, adding that the session will start at 11 am at Majestic Grand Party Palace in Lalitpur.
Mobilisation of people’s organisations
UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel has directed all its sister and people’s organizations to take the lead in creating broad public support for the party ahead of the elections. Addressing a meeting of the People Organisations Coordination Mechanism, Pokhrel urged them to stand at the forefront of the campaign.
Describing the upcoming election as not merely a routine political contest but a battle of class struggle, Pokhrel said people organisations bear the primary responsibility of effectively communicating the party’s policies, ideology and achievements to the public. He instructed that centrally decided plans be strictly implemented at the local level and called for intensified election-focused meetings, campaigns and dialogues.
The meeting also underscored the importance of building public opinion through the effective mobilisation of social media. In line with the party circular, Pokhrel said all people's organisations must be mobilised to strongly convey the UML’s message among youths as well as across different classes, communities and professional groups.
