Kathmandu. Despite the continuous efforts of the second-tier leaders, the CPN-UML has not been able to unite. When Chairman KP Sharma Oli and senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal did not agree, the ten-point agreement reached on July 11 to make the UML cadres and well-wishers happy seems to be in vain.
The UML is running as 'one party, two organizations' as the two leaders have not stopped their stand, expression, and decision. "The ten-point agreement has laid the groundwork for unity. But the two leaders are the problem now ', says a member of the task force.
Under the pressure and activism of the second-tier leaders, they agreed to form the Oli-Nepal task force. But Oli and Nepal were not sincere about the agreement reached by the task force formed on 2 May. 'They are imagining UML without each other. But the UML does not have such a desire in the ranks, so there is no unity ', the leader says. After all, Oli and Madhav are adamant on the objective of forming a UML without Nepal. Apart from Oli, Madhav Kumar Nepal is also in the campaign to form UML.
Leader Yogesh Bhattarai, who has been trying to form a united UML since the Supreme Court revived the UML on February 8, does not see any problem in the leaders except Oli-Nepal. Bhattarai is also giving a public statement about this.
Chairman Oli has already celebrated his 70th birthday on February 25. Leader Nepal will also reach 70 in the coming Fagun. To claim leadership in the election where Oli has not become a candidate, it seems that a moral question will arise for the leader Nepal.
But within the UML, there is a broad consensus on the party structure, constitution, and leadership of 2 June 2075 BS. The task force has also suggested the method of determination. If the party unites with the implementation of this agreement, it will not be far off for the leaders who are now facing problems to leave the UML.
Farewell to the Legislature
If the UCPN (M) had not entered into the unity process with the Center, the tenth National General Convention of the CPN (UML) would have been held in 2076 BS. That convention would have given continuity to Oli or someone else would have come. However, on 3 June 2075, the Maoists merged with the Center to form the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) and have now split again. Due to these political ups and downs, Oli is in the lead and the UML is close to splitting.
Whether there is unity or not, UML will have to hold its general convention within the coming April. Because the decision given by the court on 23 February has returned the UML to 2 June 2075. Considering the time when Savik was the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) as zero time, now UML will have to hold its tenth general convention. Chairman Oli had announced the general convention in November from the last meeting of 28 February. However, as the Madhav group did not agree on this, the general convention of the united UML is not likely to be held in November.
However, if an agreement is reached with the Madhav group and the general convention scheduled for November is postponed, many leaders will not be able to run for the executive post due to the UML constitution. Because the UML's constitution-2049 (amendment 2071 from the ninth general convention) has barred a person who has reached 70 years of age from being elected or nominated to an executive post. Due to this binding provision, which came into force in 2071 BS, Bharat Mohan Adhikari and Siddhilal Singh had taken leave from active politics. After 60 years of political life, Adhikari has bid farewell to the General Convention Hall following the constitution.
Singh, who reached the age of 78 from the same hall, but still shows the same physical activity, had also left active politics. Modnath Prashrita had taken leave from the eighth general convention due to his age. According to the UML leaders, the party was preparing to raise the age limit to 70 years from the same general convention. However, the provision passed by the Standing and Central Committees was not presented in the General Convention Hall as only Sahna Pradhan had to leave active politics. While the demand for age limit was raised loudly from that hall.
"It simply came to our notice then. The 70-year-old age limit brings a new generation to the leadership and makes the party dynamic ', says UML central member Gokul Gharti. Second and third-generation UML leaders like him are not in favor of removing this provision. "It simply came to our notice then. Attempts to remove it are not possible ', says another central member Yagya Raj Sunuwar.
But it is doubtful that the 70-year age limit will be maintained. Because when the UML and the Maoists united on 3 June 2075, this provision was removed without discussion. At that time, Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda had removed the age limit together. After the UML was revived, Oli single-handedly amended the constitution and removed the age limit. Chairman Oli had removed the 70-year-old age limit in the legislature by holding a meeting of central members close to him on February 11. Proponents of her case have been working to make the actual transcript of this statement available online. 'The party was divided. So not much came up. But now it doesn't seem possible to remove the age limit, 'says a leader close to Oli.
If the general convention is held according to this provision, the top leaders of the UML will not be allowed to become candidates. Even Nepal, led by Chairman Oli and another group, will fall under that provision. Chairman Oli has already celebrated his 70th birthday on February 25. Leader Nepal will also reach 70 in the coming February. To claim leadership in the election where Oli has not become a candidate, it seems that a moral question will arise for the leader Nepal. Because Nepal was the leader in the party leadership when the age limit proposal was passed in the party. He has been leading the UML for 14 years.
Other top leaders including Bamdev Gautam (74), Jhala Nath Khanal (71), Amrit Bohora (72), and Mukunda Neupane (71) will not be able to become candidates from the upcoming general convention. Article 65 (3) of the UML Constitution sets the age limit for being elected or nominated to the executive committee at 70 years. The UML Legislature will not allow Ishwor Pokharel (68), who has been the General Secretary twice, to become the General Secretary again. He will have to compete for the post of chairman or vice-chairman. After this, leaders including Keshav Badal (68), Ashtalakshmi Shakya (67), Yuvraj Gyawali (67), Subash Nemwang (67), and Beduram Bhusal (67) are close to the maximum age limit.
This means that the UML is now more likely to be led by leaders with an average of 60 years. Bhim Rawal (64), Raghuji Pant (63), Surendra Pandey (62), Prithvi Subba Gurung (62), Bhim Acharya (61), Ghanshyam Bhusal (59), Kiran Gurung (59), and Raghuveer Mahaseth (59) are considered to be the second generation in UML. Pradip Gyawali (58), Shankar Pokhrel (58), Vishnu Rimal (58), Chhavilal Bishwakarma (58), Gokarna Bista (55), and Yogesh Bhattarai (54). 'The coming general convention of the UML seems to bring great change. If the party split is stopped and only the general convention is held, the quarrelsome leadership is more likely to come on leave, 'says a leader of the UML.
The age limit of 70 years is the maximum limit, it is not necessary to wait, Yuvaraj Gyawali
The debate on setting the maximum age limit for active politics in the CPN-UML took place even before the seventh general convention. But since the seventh general convention, the debate has intensified. We came to the conclusion of setting the maximum age limit in the eighth.
It was passed by the Standing Committee and Central Committee meeting. No one disagreed. However, it was seen that only Sahna Pradhan had to leave this system due to the compelling reasons of the legal system. Putting out a leader with history like that would not have sent a good message. So it was taken back at the last moment.
It was passed unanimously by the Ninth General Convention. There has been a lot of discussion and debate to bring this provision. Twice the decision was taken by the Standing Committee and the Central Committee and passed by the General Convention. The importance of the decision to set the age limit has increased.
Because as the age has changed, it seeks a new person. This is an objective and scientific thing. Once the age limit is set, new people come naturally. It is also a scientific rule that old leave and new ones come. But one must be educated in Marxist and communist teachings. Not all new ones are gold.
But the new leadership, educated from Marxist teachings, has a lot of energy, vigor, and memory. There is activism and mobility. Due to these reasons, the maximum age limit has been fixed in UML. It constantly encourages new leadership. The party reflects age-appropriate innovation.
The maximum age limit does not mean that one should be active in politics for 70 years anyway. Now such an understanding is also seen. Newcomers can be allowed to take leave even after 50 or 60 years. Because the recognition of this provision is the selection of leadership from the competition of people with consciousness, energy, and dynamism. It is in the constitution, so it does not mean that I will remain on the active committee.
