KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Senior Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokharel has formally announced his candidacy for party chair in the upcoming 11th General Convention scheduled for December 13–15 in Kathmandu.
Releasing a detailed political–organizational document on Saturday, Pokharel said he is prepared to take on the party’s leadership, citing the need for deep introspection, structural reforms and a renewed commitment to internal democracy.
Reflecting on UML’s political journey from the era of Madan Bhandari to the present, Pokharel argued that the current political climate demands serious self-assessment and organizational rebuilding. He added that incidents following the September 8–9 Gen-Z movement have placed a fresh responsibility on the UML to bring the constitutional process back on the right path.
Pokharel said he is contesting the chairmanship to institutionalize internal democracy, transparency, organizational renewal and a culture of leadership transfer within the party. He stressed the need to reinstate the two-term leadership limit in UML’s statute and to enforce clear standards on party discipline, auditing and organizational autonomy.
He also highlighted the need to amend the statute to ensure meaningful representation of youths, women, Dalits, indigenous nationalities, Madhesis, Muslims and minority groups. Pokharel added that party-affiliated organizations must be freed from factionalism and leadership chosen through open competition.
Calling for an environment to bring former President Bidya Devi Bhandari back into the party fold, he stated that her return would contribute to ideological and organizational clarity. On the recent Gen-Z protests, Pokharel expressed respect for the movement but demanded a thorough investigation into the violence and infiltration that occurred.
Pokharel said he expects party chair KP Sharma Oli to now play a supportive role in leadership handover. He urged party members to participate with “wisdom and responsibility” from the delegate-selection process through the convention.
The political document he intends to table at the general convention will be made public soon, he added.
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