KATHMANDU: The ruling CPN-UML has intensified preparations for its upcoming statute convention, with Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli currently visiting China after instructing party leaders to finalize all arrangements for the event.
According to UML Publicity Department Chief Rajendra Gautam, the Sunrise Hall in Godavari, Lalitpur, has been booked for the second legislative general convention, scheduled from September 5 to 7, 2025.
“The hall has been booked. The work of printing the preamble and other documents is underway,” Gautam said, adding, “The party Chairman and Prime Minister left for China with clear instructions to complete all preparations.”
The convention is expected to bring together 2,125 delegates and 264 members from organizing committees. Only those who were representatives during the 10th General Convention will retain delegate status, while individuals added to the central committee or party departments afterward will attend in the capacity of organizers.
“Only the representatives of the 10th national convention are recognized as delegates for this statutory convention,” said UML Secretary Padma Aryal. “Those appointed after that, even with responsibilities, will not have representative rights. They will participate as organizers.”
This legislative (statute) convention is the first of its kind since the 10th national convention held in Chitwan. Aryal also confirmed that the party secretariat has received all proposals and documents to be presented at the convention. The party’s main slogan has been finalized as: “Building a decisive national power is our resolve; a Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepalis is our national goal.”
Still, with multiple factions preparing their own narratives and underlying discontent bubbling to the surface, the upcoming convention could prove to be a turning point for the UML—either reinforcing Oli’s dominance or exposing deeper fractures within the party.
Prime Minister Oli is expected to return to Kathmandu on September 3, after which a party Secretariat meeting will likely be held on September 4 to finalize all reports and preparations.
No central committee meeting will be held before the convention—only the secretariat will meet to finalize the key reports, including the political report, the organizational report, and the statute amendment proposal. Additionally, documents from the party’s election commission, disciplinary commission, accounts commission, and advisory council will also be presented.
Chairman KP Sharma Oli will present the political report, Vice Chairman Bishnu Poudel will present the statute amendment proposal, and General Secretary Shankar Pokharel will present the organizational report.
According to sources, Oli has thoroughly reviewed Poudel’s draft and proposed corrections to several points. Key issues include a reduction in the number of secretariat officials, planning for the 11th general convention, leadership transition, and the question of whether to implement an age limit for leadership roles.
Leaders say Oli has pushed back against the age limit clause and wants to ensure that the final report reflects his continued authority and avoids any appearance of weakness.
The political report will emphasize the achievements of the current UML–Congress alliance, with claims that the partnership has accelerated development, safeguarded national borders, and strengthened Nepal’s international relations.
All reports are expected to be passed during a central committee meeting and then submitted to the statute convention.
Despite efforts to maintain unity, internal tensions within the UML are growing. Senior leaders including Ishwor Pokhrel, Surendra Pandey, and Yubaraj Gyawali are said to be preparing separate viewpoints, though they have not formally declared their intentions. At a recent interaction program in Anamnagar, Vice Chairman Pandey hinted that he may present a different opinion.
The return of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari to active politics has added further complexity. Although Oli blocked her renewed party membership during the central committee meeting, Bhandari has been actively engaging with party cadres across the country.
Her faction is reportedly preparing an alternative political document expressing dissatisfaction with her exclusion, the government’s performance, and the leadership’s internal behavior.
A UML leader confirmed that the document has already been drafted. “We understand the report is complete. It expresses dissatisfaction over Bhandari’s exclusion, government shortcomings, and the party leadership’s behavior. Whether it will be officially presented is not certain, but we have been told it exists,” the leader said.
There is growing speculation within UML circles that if no major change occurs in the coming days, leaders aligned with Bhandari will submit a separate proposal during the legislative general convention.
UML insiders say that Bhandari, currently touring the country, is being encouraged by disgruntled leaders to adopt a different stance. After the closure of the UML central office in Chyasal, her supporters have reportedly set up a separate liaison office in Thapagaun to coordinate activities.
Dr. Bhim Rawal, who had contested against Oli in the 10th General Convention, has now distanced himself from the party after being relegated to a regular membership role by Oli.
A UML leader said that if Bhandari’s faction enters a state of political panic similar to Rawal’s situation, they might refrain from presenting a formal alternative proposal.
When asked about the situation, Senior Vice President Ishwor Pokhrel declined to comment. It is being said within the party that he has recently withdrawn from taking a confrontational stance. In the current context, Vice President Surendra Pandey appears most likely to put forward a different opinion.
However, Publicity Department Chief Rajendra Gautam dismissed such reports as rumors. “These are all baseless. There will be one voice and unity at the legislative general convention,” he said, insisting that all leaders are working together in harmony.
Still, with multiple factions preparing their own narratives and underlying discontent bubbling to the surface, the upcoming convention could prove to be a turning point for the UML—either reinforcing Oli’s dominance or exposing deeper fractures within the party.
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