CPN-UML Morang Cadres Demand Special General Convention for Leadership Overhaul

Biratnagar. During an interactive program organized by CPN-UML Morang at the party office on Tuesday, leaders and cadres emphasized the need for a special general convention to strengthen and purify the party.

Voices from the grassroots level have emerged demanding new leadership from the ward to the central level, keeping internal party democracy and the upcoming local level elections in view. Out of approximately 14 participants who shared their views, 13 stated that a special general convention is the only viable option to provide new momentum to the party in the current situation.

They emphasized that the transformation process must begin from the lowest level of the party. According to CPN-UML Morang Vice-Chairman Sagar Thapa, most participants in the interaction sought leadership changes and policy clarity through a special general convention, extending from wards, municipalities, and districts to the province and center.

'The voice has been raised that we must move forward with a fresh mandate from the grassroots,' Thapa said. 'Morang UML is prepared to hold conventions from the ward level upwards simultaneously.'

Vice-Chairman Thapa stated that in the current situation, the party must understand the sentiments of the people and correct past mistakes before approaching the public. He said, 'If we cannot lead the party according to the demands of society, there is a danger of us becoming obsolete. Therefore, we must go into the local elections with new leadership.'

During the program, cadres also suggested that the leadership should apologize to the public and reach out to every village with renewed energy. Most speakers concluded that since the people are the ultimate power, the party cannot remain strong if it distances itself from them.

CPN-UML Morang Secretary Somraj Thapa acknowledged that there is intense dissatisfaction among cadres following the recent political situation and election results. According to Thapa, leaders at the municipal level demanded an alternative to the current leadership and a radical change in the party structure. Explaining that the interaction was held to address the current political situation, Secretary Thapa noted that the party can no longer function with the same old faces and methods.

In the meeting, Kerabari Village Committee Chairman Bhim Karki presented the suppressed anger within the party strongly. He expressed the view that not only the leadership but the entire party structure needs to be changed. Stating that leadership and structural changes have become mandatory, Karki suggested that if necessary, party memberships should be reset to zero and new applications should be invited.

Leaders at the meeting interpreted the participation in the government alongside the Nepali Congress as a 'strategic blunder' by the leadership. Expressing anger, leaders from lower committees claimed that the CPN-UML suffered the most after the split of the former Nepal Communist Party (UML and Maoist Center). They strongly criticized the leadership, stating that due to the ego and working style of the leadership, veteran leaders like Bhim Rawal were forced to leave or were sidelined. They alleged that former partners from the NCP era were not treated with respect and that a unilateral style was adopted.

Biratnagar Metropolitan Committee Chairman Balram Giri and Intellectual Council Morang Chairman Dilli Pokharel raised serious questions about the failure of the leadership. They stated that the leadership failed to show foresight even in the selection of the UML parliamentary party leader.

Faced with a wave of demands for leadership change from the grassroots, Chief Guest Pradeep Gyawali appeared defensive. He noted the sentiments expressed by the cadres and stated that the party would take them seriously in the coming days.

'He gave assurances that a way to solve the problems would be found while preserving the leadership,' the source said. He offered consolation by stating that if there were any shortcomings in the party, they should be corrected, and that leadership changes would also occur in due time.