NCP youth leader begins hunger strike demanding 60 percent youth representation

Kathmandu. A hunger strike has begun at the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) office in Parisdanda, pressuring the party to ensure youth leadership. NCP youth leader Bhuwan Singh Bista began the strike on Saturday.

He has demanded 60 percent participation of youth under the age of 40 across all party levels, from the Central Coordination Committee to the cell committees. Bista stated that youth participation is essential to prevent the party from becoming an 'old-age home' and to keep it dynamic and relevant.

Bista had submitted a memorandum regarding the youth demands to party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on 2082 Chaitra 23. He stated that he was forced to take this drastic step after the leadership failed to make a concrete decision during the Baisakh 3 meeting, despite previous assurances.

'We have taken this step because we cannot shirk our responsibility to build the party. The mandate of the recent House of Representatives election also highlights the need for youth leadership. My hunger strike will continue until the party becomes youth-friendly and militant,' Bista said from the protest site.

Bista began the strike by unveiling a 5-point demand letter alongside a black banner at Parisdanda. Solidarity from youth leaders and activists arriving from various districts is growing at the site. The party leadership has not yet provided an official response.

His main demands are as follows:

–60 percent participation of youth under 40 in the unity process at every level of the party (from central coordination to cell committees).

–Immediate publication of a schedule for a special general convention to be completed within three months.

–Arrangements for the direct election of central office bearers through the general convention.

–Public admission of the party's failure to field candidates under 40 in both direct and proportional electoral systems.

–Immediate public disclosure of the property details of all party office bearers.