KATHMANDU: Senior Vice-Chair of the CPN-UML, Ishwar Pokharel, has called for a serious review of the party’s leadership style, warning that the current approach risks damaging the party’s image.
Speaking during the closed session of the party’s 11th general convention on Sunday, Pokharel stressed that the convention should focus on strengthening party unity.
Recalling the party’s fifth general convention, he highlighted its historic role in safeguarding dissenting views within the party.
“Especially during the fifth general convention, the proposal on People’s Multiparty Democracy (JABAJ) was endorsed. That convention guaranteed the protection of differing opinions, which was historic,” Pokharel said. “Even today, the acceptance of dissent remains equally meaningful.”
Pokharel said the party must rethink how it is being run, arguing that blaming everything on external conspiracies is neither sufficient nor healthy. He noted that internal reasons behind past party splits were never properly reviewed.
Referring to KP Sharma Oli’s election as party chair in 2014, Pokharel recalled that Oli was supported at the time despite health challenges, as leaders believed a movement-born leader should lead the party. He also urged party members to read Oli’s own writings on party democratization, leadership tenure, and geopolitical challenges.
Pokharel said the tenth general convention failed to ensure unity, and that no meaningful review was conducted after problems emerged within the Nepal Communist Party.
He also raised concerns over amendments to the party statute during the ongoing convention, noting that the statute had already been passed between September 5 and 7.
Additionally, he said issues arising from the Gen-Z movement and questions raised against the party leadership must be addressed.
“We must determine whether external forces were the main cause of our failures or whether internal weaknesses were decisive,” Pokharel said. “We controlled the state apparatus, yet we failed. Was the state machinery ineffective, or were our own shortcomings responsible?”
He emphasized that the party must acknowledge its internal weaknesses rather than deflect blame. Pokharel also informed the meeting that he had presented a concept paper for the convention.
“Our policies and principles are not the problem. The issue lies in our conduct and practice,” he said. “The UML has led many historic movements, but continuing on a revolutionary path is not possible with the current working style. The party leadership must operate strictly in line with party policy and statute.”
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