The 11th general convention of the CPN-UML is set to see a competition between two factions to select the leadership. Chairman KP Sharma Oli has moved forward to take the leadership for a third term, while Senior Vice Chairman Ishwor Pokharel is preparing to compete against him.

Pokharel has already formally announced that he will compete for the chairmanship in the general convention to be held in Kathmandu from November 10 to 12. In this context, Ishwar Pokharel talked to Ganga BC for Kantipur: 

Are you going to compete with Chairman KP Sharma Oli in the upcoming general convention?

I have prepared to compete for the chairmanship. I am not going to do this competition by appointing any specific person. It is natural for whoever is the candidate for chairmanship to compete with them. Competing within the party's rules should not be considered otherwise.

Has former President Vidya Bhandari supported you in this competition?

Vidya Bhandari will definitely support you. I believe that all other friends will also support you. 

Is there an example of a leader who competed with Chairman Oli in the past not surviving in the party?

Chairman Oli also said in the meeting that there should be healthy competition in any position. He said that the results of the competition should be accepted easily. The results should be accepted by taking the competition as a matter of course.