Maoist leaders push for special convention amid internal disputes

Kathmandu, January 2 — There is a growing demand within the main opposition party, the CPN (Maoist Centre), to convene a special general convention.

Leaders have stated that the party needs to hold a special convention to implement the organizational report approved by the statute convention, for ideological synthesis, and to bring optimism into party rank and file.

In September, a joint consultation committee meeting of the provincial-level (central committee members and provincial office bearers) recommended to the leadership that internal issues be resolved through a special convention rather than the regular one.

However, some leaders argued that since the regular general convention is approaching, it would not be appropriate to hold a special convention.

Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda had assured that the political report would be presented in the central committee meeting, incorporating the views and suggestions from the consultation committee meeting. But as the leadership appeared indecisive about the special convention, the central committee meeting scheduled to start on next Sunday is expected to finalize the date for the gneral convention.

To set the agenda for the meeting, Prachanda has called a three-day standing committee meeting starting today.

According to Secretary Devendra Poudel, discussions on whether to hold a special or regular general convention will take place at this meeting.

"Previously, this issue had been raised multiple times in the central committee, office bearers, and standing committee meetings. Most leaders had suggested calling a special convention. The chairman has stated that the report is ready, and it is expected that this central committee meeting will finalize the date for the congress," Poudel told Ratopati.

The decision to call a special convention was made in the central committee meeting held in August, so it is likely that Prachanda will present it as an agenda in this meeting, Poudel added.

During the consultation committee meeting, provincial chairs also suggested that internal disputes be resolved through a special convention.