CPN-UML’s 9th General Convention kicks off amid mismanagement and cadres’ dissatisfaction

4 July, Kathmandu: The ninth national general convention of the ruling CPN (UML) has begun in Kathmandu on Thursday amid mismanagement and cadres’ dissatisfaction.

Hundreds of cadres were barred to enter into the program venue causing further dissatisfaction and agitation of the cadres.

The irate cadres even went on to vandalize the party’s flags, welcome gates and convention materials on the premises of ongoing ninth general convention of the party.

The group emerged wild in protest of ban imposed on others except journalists, delegates and guests to enter the general convention site in Bhrikutimandap.

The party had also arranged entry pass for delegates, journalists and guests so as to make the jamboree well-managed.

Worse still, Chief of Foreign Affairs Department of Bharatiya Janata Party Bijaya Jolly was mistreated by some UML cadres at the main gate of Bhrikutimandap while returning after delivering a statement at the UML’s national general convention.

Some cadres outside the convention site were uttering their grievances for not allowing them to be the part of inaugural function ignoring their longstanding contributions in the making of the party. They voiced complaint that a pertinent question has raised whether or not to pay levy to the party in coming days.

The volunteers deputed to assuage the irate party cadres apparently seemed helpless at the moment. The uncontrolled mob had pelted iron rods and stones towards the hall from outside.

A huge crowd of supporters had welcomed UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal and parliamentary party leader – the contenders of the chairperson – with big applause when they reached the general convention site.

A systematic electronic security arrangement was made in the inaugural site. The party’s flags and the joint image showing leaders, Pushpa Lal Shrestha, Madan Kumar Bhandari and Manmohan Adhikari, were visible around the site. Some televisions and FM radios were airing live broadcast of the program.

Leaders of various political parties and guests from neighbouring countries had also turned up the inauguration of the general convention. They had also expressed their greetings for the success of the conclave.

The arrangement of drinking water was not well-managed. Journalists and delegates were wondering in search for drinking water.

Leaders’ commitment to keep party intact

Addressing the inaugural session of the general convention, the party top brass said that UML should be based on production, construction and transformation and the party’s guiding principle—people’s multiparty democracy—should be expanded worldwide.

Top leaders of CPN (UML) also promised to make their party the mainstream of national politics for the country’s socio-economic transformation through robust internal unity in the party.

On the occasion, UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal said that the national general convention would be historical and would unite the party ideologically and politically.

The UML would lead the nation by ending all sorts of suppression, oppression and discrimination and ensuring democracy with social justice, Khanal said.

He also said that the UML would continuously move ahead in its peaceful character for the establishment of democratic socialism.

Likewise, party senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said the ongoing general convention of the party would be historical for the completion of capitalistic revolution and reconstruction of the party.

He urged all the party leaders and cadres to remain firmly active in favor of people’s rights by internalizing the problems facing the people. “The UML will be a strong party only if people and cadres were united,” he added.

Similarly, UML parliamentary party leader KP Sharma Oli said the national general convention would move ahead on the basis of relevance and justifiable unity.

“National interest and sovereignty would be taken into consideration for establishing mutual relationship with other forces of the world,” Oli added.

He said that the UML’s leadership was required for the country’s peaceful transformation on the time of ongoing political and economic transition on the basis of UML’s guiding principle.