KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML is set to begin a closed session of the party’s 10th general convention underway in Chitwan for the past three days to elect a new leadership of the party.

A meeting of the General Convention Presidium is being held now. The meeting is finalizing the list of office bearers and central members prepared by party Chair KP Sharma Oli.

The closed session set for 10 am today is about to begin after a delay of nearly 12 hours. The session could not start on time as the party was busy in discussion to elect the new leadership through consensus amid few dissenting voices.

Chair Oli, Vice-Chairpersons Bhim Rawal, Yuvraj Gyawali and Ashta Laxmi Shakya are the members of the General Convention Presidium. Similarly, General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel, Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary Party Subash Nembang and Standing Committee member Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ are also members of the presidium. Likewise, Standing Committee members Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Chhabilal Bishwakarma and Lal Babu Pandit are also in the presidium.

UML central office secretary Sher Bahadur Tamang said that it would take time to start the closed session as the leadership would be selected by consensus.

Once the presidium finalizes the central officials, including 19 office bearers, Chair Oli will put forward the nominations to the delegates at the closed session. The majority of delegates are likely to approve the proposal drafted through consensus with resounding applause, thereby, giving shape to the new leadership in the UML.