KATHMANDU: The first meeting of the CPN-UML Central Committee elected from the party’s 11th General Convention was held in Kathmandu on Friday.
The meeting, which began at 2:45 pm at Karki Banquet in Babarmahal, was addressed by KP Sharma Oli, who has been elected party chair for a third term.
In his address, Chair Oli spoke at length about party discipline, internal democracy and organisational strengthening. Highlighting that CPN-UML is a party guided by firm discipline, he said the party does not believe in anarchic actions carried out in the name of politics.
“CPN-UML is not a party that wraps itself in the national flag and burns Singha Durbar. Our party requires genuine and firm discipline,” Oli said.
Claiming that UML is a democratic party, Oli said there is freedom for individuals within the party. However, he stressed that pursuing personal interests at the cost of collective good and national interest cannot be described as freedom.
“Our party is moving forward with a great responsibility,” he said, adding that democracy within the party must align with broader national priorities.
Responding to allegations of authoritarianism within the party, Oli dismissed such claims and indirectly criticized his detractors. Referring to criticisms often levelled against him, he said some claim there is no space to speak within UML and that one cannot speak by looking him in the eye.
“They say you cannot speak there, that you cannot look KP Oli in the eye, and that only yes-men sit around,” Oli said. “But KP Oli does not do anything that deserves opposition,” he added.
Oli also spoke about the country’s current situation, describing it as difficult and challenging. He said UML would take responsibility for helping steer the country towards stability and ease.
He accused certain forces of spreading fear by claiming that democracy is under threat and that democratic rights are being curtailed. Rejecting such narratives, Oli said UML is committed to advocating for open and robust democracy.
“Fear is being spread by saying democracy is being lost and crushed. We will stand firmly for open democracy,” he said.
On organizational matters, Oli said the party’s structure is already broad and strong, but needs to be made more dynamic. He called for further activation of party mechanisms at the grassroots level.
“We now need to make the organization more dynamic,” he said. “We must form security committees in every neighborhood,” Oli added, indicating a push for stronger local-level organization.
Targeting what he described as attempts to intimidate the party in the name of the younger generation, Oli said UML would not be frightened by such tactics.
“Trying to scare UML by saying ‘I am Gen-Z’ while hiding under a blanket will not work,” he said, asserting that the party remains confident and resilient.
Concluding his address, Oli informed the meeting that another meeting of the Central Committee would be convened within the next three weeks.
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