Youth Leaders Demand Leadership Change in CPN-UML

Kathmandu. Youth leaders have organized a renaissance gathering demanding leadership change and party transformation within the CPN (UML).

At the renaissance gathering held in Minbhawan, Kathmandu on Saturday, influential youth leaders including central members concluded that a replacement for the current chairman, KP Sharma Oli, must be sought.

The gathering, which lasted for about four hours, determined that the current leadership's working style and weaknesses are primarily responsible for the party's recent electoral defeat. Central members Jhapat Rawal, Naresh Rokaya, and Samik Badal, along with approximately 130 leaders and cadres, actively participated in the gathering.

Participants accused the current leadership of deliberately sidelining the role of youth and depriving capable individuals of responsibilities by labeling them with factionalism. Alleging that the party has been captured by the chairman and that cadres are not even allowed to debate ideology, the gathering decided to launch a nationwide campaign in favor of party renaissance and generational transition in all seven provinces.

Former central member of UML, Nabina Lama, stated that party transformation has become an unavoidable condition and that a debate will be taken nationwide regarding the demand for a special general convention. Kamal Joshi, deputy general secretary of All Nepal National Free Student Union (ANNFSU), also informed that the agenda of leadership change will be strongly raised as the party cannot move forward correctly under the current leadership.

These youths, who had previously put forward a 15-point transformation proposal, will also intensify the signature collection campaign for a special general convention.

Most speakers at the gathering openly criticized Oli, stating that the party's future would be in crisis if he did not step down from leadership.

Former central member Ramesh Poudel, former chairman of ANNFSU Sujan Kadariya, chairman of Intellectual Council Gajendra Thapaliya, deputy general secretary of Youth Association Upendra Shahi, among others, claimed that internal democracy within the party has ended.