KATHMANDU, Dec 14: CPN-UML Politburo member Gokul Baskota has said the party’s 11th General Convention will produce a more united and stronger UML.
Speaking to journalists outside the convention venue on Sunday, Baskota claimed that the UML would emerge as the country’s strongest political force after the convention. “The UML is not a fragile stick made of straw; it is a strong steel rod. Unity amid diversity is the essence of the UML,” he said.
Baskota said the Central Committee’s decision to restructure the party leadership—scrapping the post of senior vice-chairperson and fixing the leadership structure with one chairperson, five vice-chairpersons, one general secretary, three deputy general secretaries and nine secretaries—was taken through consensus. Under the decision, the party will have a 301-member Central Committee, a 99-member Politburo and a Standing Committee comprising one-third of the Politburo.
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He clarified that the decision was technical rather than ideological in nature. “The chair proposed moving forward this way, discussions were held and various issues were raised, but there was no serious disagreement,” Baskota said.
According to him, some adjustments were necessary for management purposes following changes between the Godavari Statute Convention and the current situation. “The overall number remains the same as the 10th convention. Some positions, including the senior vice-chairperson, were reduced, but the total number of office-bearers will remain 19,” he added.
Baskota also said there was a desire for leadership selection through consensus among the delegates, and efforts would be made in that direction. However, he said that even if voting becomes necessary, it would not affect party unity. “Whatever decision the representatives make must be accepted, and it will be accepted,” he said.
Dismissing speculation about distance between him and party chair KP Sharma Oli, Baskota said he remains firmly aligned with Oli. “We are in the same party. How can there be distance? If KP Oli sinks, I sink too; if I sink, it affects him as well. So there is no situation where I need to lean on any other leader,” he said.
Referring to tensions during the convention, Baskota said such developments were natural. “When a fire burns, smoke appears. It should be taken naturally,” he added.
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