Efforts have been made for consensus: Gyawali

Central Committee member of CPN-UML Pradip Gyawali believes the party´s Butwal convention will be historic in terms of coming up with a more united party and a capable leadership.

myrepublica.com: What happened in the central committee meeting of the party last night?

Gyawali: General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal thanked the central committee. He also thanked Madhav Kumar Nepal, who led the party as General Secretary for a long time, and Amrit Bohora, who was the party´s General Secretary for a brief period of time. The meeting also made decisions about today’s (Monday’s) opening ceremony and the closed-door session that begins tomorrow.

Most of the leaders have also said that they will move according to the suggestions given by the party cadres.

myrepublica.com: What is the fight for the leadership positions like?

Gyawali: The overall party ranks want the party to move forward as one to take on the current challenges. The leaders will definitely understand this wish of the party cadres. Most of the leaders have also said that they will move according to the suggestions given by the party cadres. Efforts have been made for consensus. I pin my hopes on this.

myrepublica.com: What are the wishes of the cadres?

Gyawali: The overall party ranks want two things. First, the party leadership should move ahead united. Second, they want the leadership to lead national politics with a clear identity of the party. Though there is enormous potential for this, they are thinking that the leadership is not delivering according to expectations. They complain that the party has just been a helper of the Nepali Congress and the Maoists.

The country now wants UML’s leadership.

myrepublica.com: What kind of leadership do you think will be elected?

Gyawali: The six-month rule of the Maoists is headed for doom. The Nepali Congress has been tested time and again. The country now wants UML’s leadership. The party cadres want UML to emerge with such leadership that is capable and can steer the country ahead amidst the crowd of the right and ultra-left.

myrepublica.com: The leaders have been repeatedly saying that this is the convention of unity. Why? Do they fear a split?

Gyawali: It’s not that way. It is called the convention of unity in two ways. First is unity in a sentimental sense. A united UML is needed to take on the challenges facing the country. Second, there are signs of disintegration and there are concerns of disruption in social harmony. The leaders want to give a message that there is a need of national unity to eliminate such fears and concerns.

myrepublica.com: In what way is this convention different from those in the past?

Gyawali: In the past conventions, party cadres used to come with a divided mentality. This time, the party workers have come with free minds. We will reach a conclusion by holding subject-wise discussions. And, Butwal (convention) will definitely be historic.