KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Vice Chairperson Astalaxmi Shakya has announced that she will support Ishwar Pokhrel in the party’s upcoming 11th General Convention.
Shakya said she will back Pokhrel for the party leadership in the convention scheduled to begin in Kathmandu on December 13.
“We have put forward Comrade Ishwar, and we stand firmly behind him. In several meetings, we had advised Chair KP Sharma Oli to step aside and move forward according to a new political direction, but he refused,” Shakya told Khabarhub. “Given the current complex situation, the country and the party need new leadership and new policies. That is why we have supported Comrade Ishwar.”
When asked whether the competition at the convention would be limited to Oli and Pokhrel for the leadership or extend to other office bearers as well, Shakya said a full team could also be presented.
“A complete team can go forward, because at this point the party needs leaders with new vision,” she said. “Just as the new generation rose up in the September 8 and 9 movement, it is now time to build on that foundation and strengthen the party with a fresh approach.”
Shakya added that the voices raised by the new generation were legitimate, and UML is looking for leadership capable of addressing their concerns.
Comment