KATHMANDU: The All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU) national convention in Kirtipur erupted in loud protests on Tuesday after top leaders from the CPN-UML allegedly attempted to interfere in the leadership selection process by pushing for a consensus candidate instead of holding elections.
The controversy stems from UML’s decision to impose a 32-year age limit for participation in the convention. Although the age cap excluded many senior student leaders from contesting, the convention had been proceeding with delegates under the specified age.
As the 24th general convention moved into its closed-door session to begin the election process, UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli, General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel, and Coordinator of the party’s Mass Organization Coordination Mechanism Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal reportedly pressured the ANNFSU leadership to avoid elections and opt for a unanimous selection of the new leadership.
This perceived interference sparked an uproar among the student delegates, who chanted slogans such as “We want election!” and denounced what they called an undemocratic imposition in the name of consensus.
Delegates warned that they would defy any decision that bypassed the electoral process under the pretext of maintaining party unity.
According to members of the convention chairing panel, the closed-door session—underway since Sunday—had already approved key documents, including political, organizational, and financial reports after group discussions.
The convention also approved the proposed structure of a 151-member central committee and nine office-bearers, along with enforcing the 32-year age cap.
Madhav Dhungel, UML’s Organizational Secretary and a member of the convention presidium, had earlier announced that the election process would formally begin on Tuesday morning. However, the last-minute push for a consensus arrangement triggered internal dissent, revealing underlying tensions within the student wing.
As of Tuesday afternoon, it remains unclear whether the leadership will proceed with an election or succeed in enforcing a consensus-based outcome amid increasing pressure from grassroots delegates demanding democratic participation.
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