KATHMANDU, Oct 18: Major political parties—the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Centre)—have intensified preparations to hold their general conventions in December amid growing pressure from the recent Gen Z movement demanding leadership reform ahead of the next House of Representatives (HoR) elections.
The UML has already fixed the dates for its 11th General Convention, scheduled to take place in Pokhara from December 12 to 14, while the Nepali Congress is still deliberating on the timing of its 15th General Convention around the same period.
Within the NC, internal discussions have gained momentum as pressure mounts on General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma to present a concrete plan. According to party sources, Thapa recently proposed holding the convention from December 13 to 15 during a Performance Committee meeting, though the proposal has yet to be endorsed.
General conventions of UML and Maoist Centre mere rituals: NC J...
Concerns over the delay have been raised in both the Central Working Committee (CWC) and the Performance Committee. “Various options and dates have been discussed, but no final decision has been made,” said one CWC member.
During Friday’s CWC meeting at the party’s headquarters in Sanepa, Sudurpaschim Province President Bir Bahadur Balayar questioned Thapa about whether President Sher Bahadur Deuba had explicitly indicated that the regular convention would not be held.
“Who stopped you from holding the convention in mid-December?” Balayar asked. “Did Deuba himself say so, or did the Central Committee change the date?”
Another CWC member, Pradeep Poudel, argued that the NC could secure a majority in the next election only by embracing generational change and organisational reform. Referring to the Gen Z movement, he said the party must address legitimate public demands—ending corruption, ensuring good governance, promoting economic growth, and creating jobs for the youth.
Poudel also proposed structural reforms, including reducing the size of the House of Representatives to 201 members, capping the cabinet at 15 ministers, cutting provincial assemblies by 40 percent, and reducing local governments to 400 units. He emphasised the need to ensure youth participation in leadership selection from the ward to the central level.
While Poudel said the general convention could still be held within November, Gandaki Province President Shukraraj Sharma suggested postponing the elections scheduled for March 5 to mid-May, arguing that it would be difficult to conduct polls in hilly districts during that time. “Holding elections by mid-May would allow the government sufficient time to ensure a peaceful and secure environment,” Sharma said.
Meanwhile, the UML has formally endorsed its 11th General Convention to be held in Pokhara from December 13 to 15. Party Chair KP Sharma Oli presented a political report and the proposed convention dates, which were unanimously endorsed, according to UML Spokesperson Rajendra Gautam.
The UML is preparing for its convention amid growing internal pressure for Oli to step down following the Gen Z protests, which called for generational leadership change. Oli, however, has dismissed such calls, saying he remains “active and capable” of leading both the party and the country. Party insiders say Oli is confident of being re-elected as chairman during the convention.
Meanwhile, CPN (Maoist Centre) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal, amid rising public discontent, last month submitted a four-point proposal on party reorganisation, which includes holding the party’s general convention in December. The proposal seeks to revitalise the party structure and integrate younger leadership into decision-making roles.
