UML’s 11th General Convention Highlights Leadership Continuity and Youth Inclusion

The 11th National General Convention of Nepal’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) has highlighted the party’s organizational strength, leadership continuity, and growing emphasis on generational transition, party leaders said.

UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel said the convention marked a significant moment in the party’s history, strengthening its internal democracy and public standing. Writing in a Facebook post on Saturday, Pokhrel said the resolutions and messages endorsed by the convention now need to be taken to the people.

The opening ceremony, held at Sallahghari in Bhaktapur, drew a large crowd. Party leaders said the scale of participation reflected strong grassroots support and the party’s organizational capacity.

According to Pokhrel, the convention also sent a clear message about leadership. He said the event reaffirmed the importance of party chair KP Sharma Oli in addressing national political challenges, despite what he described as political pressure surrounding the party and its leadership.

The convention placed particular focus on youth participation. Special provisions were introduced to encourage the involvement of younger members, resulting in a noticeable number of new faces entering the central committee. Party leaders said the move was aimed at balancing experience with new leadership.

Elections were held for most party positions, with candidates competing openly. Both winning and losing candidates accepted the results, which leaders said helped reinforce the party’s democratic culture. Several senior leaders also announced voluntary retirement from active roles, a step described as positive for internal renewal.

While technical issues extended the voting process by one day, party officials said the overall management of the convention was efficient compared to previous events. Pokhrel also expressed concern over the defeat of some experienced leaders, saying it highlighted the growing influence of publicity over organizational work. He said the situation underscored the need for stronger ideological and political training within the party.

Overall, party leaders described the convention as successful, saying it laid the groundwork for strengthening the CPN-UML as a major national political force. The election of nearly one-third new central committee members, including many under the age of 40, was cited as a positive sign for the party’s future.