KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML has described its defeat in the General Election 2082 as a serious and “shameful” setback in the history of the party.
A review report prepared by the Election Mobilization Committee has concluded that the party’s organizational activities weakened and frustration among cadres increased following the election defeat.
The report, prepared by a committee comprising Vice Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ and General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, states that the election result had a serious impact on the party’s organizational life.
According to the report, cadre participation has declined, membership renewal has slowed, and some party workers have even stopped maintaining contact with the party.
The report also pointed to serious apathy toward the review process at the grassroots level despite the need to prioritize election review and party reorganization.
It states that meetings of some lower-level committees have stopped being held, while participation and engagement have remained weak even where meetings are organized.
The report has emphasized the need for serious self-reflection by acknowledging past weaknesses and restructuring the party to move forward in a new way.
It also recalls that the UML has previously overcome challenges including the Jhapa rebellion, the Dasdhunga incident, party splits, defeat in the Constituent Assembly election and the 2078 party split.
The report concludes that the latest electoral defeat should not be viewed as the end of the party but as a serious challenge requiring reconstruction.
It has proposed several reforms, including organizational restructuring, leadership transformation, youth-focused campaigns, people-oriented agendas, greater accountability of elected representatives, stronger party discipline and internal democracy, and the development of an effective digital organization.
The report suggests that the UML can move forward on a new foundation if it learns from the electoral defeat and successfully revitalizes its organization.
It has emphasized that the process of self-assessment and reform must extend from the party leadership to the grassroots level.
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