As the UML general convention, which begins on Saturday, heats up, the calculation for leadership selection has begun. The establishment and senior vice-president Ishwor Pokharel factions are engaged in internal homework to form their respective panels.

In this general convention, there is a competition between two parties by forming a panel. What is the preparation of the establishment party for this? A conversation between Kantipur's Ganga BC and Deputy General Secretary of Chairman KP Sharma Oli. What is the main feature of the 11th general convention of UML?

We held our 10th general convention in a kind of transitional period. Especially after the Maoists and UML merged, the CPN was formed. The CPN was dissolved after the court separated the UML and the Maoists. We held the 10th general convention in this transitional period. During that 10th general convention, some people who were in the UML themselves formed a separate party and some friends of the Maoist party were still in the unification process.

Now, after completing a period, we are giving completeness to the new UML. For that reason, the 11th General Convention is even more important in terms of how this new UML will move forward in a new way in a new situation. One aspect is this. Secondly, the 10th National Convention was held when we came out of this internal turmoil, and now we are holding the 11th General Convention when national politics is in turmoil. That is why it is important in itself.

This General Convention is giving a new look to UML. Does this mean that the leadership will also be new?

This General Convention is to elect the leadership. We hold two General Conventions. We hold a Legislative General Convention for a policy and method in the life of UML. Whatever policy decisions the Legislative General Convention made, the constitution was made. On that basis, we will hold another regular General Convention. The main task of the 11th General Convention that is being held now is to elect the leadership based on the policy set by the previous Legislative General Convention.

Since we have divided the leadership election and the policy debate into two parts, this 11th General Convention is basically a general convention only for selecting the leadership. That is why it will elect a new leadership. By electing a new leadership, some friends may have been re-approved. Some new friends may have come. Moreover, now everyone here knows that the UML has created a cluster of those under 40 years of age while selecting representatives. This is also a training method in terms of mandatory entry for friends under 40 years of age.

In terms of the original leadership, it is also in the news outside. We did not even have to say much about it. It is almost certain that Chairman KP Sharma Oli will be our chairman again.

After Oli becomes Chairman, current General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Deputy General Secretaries Prithvisubba Gurung and Pradeep Gyawali are aspiring for the General Secretary, right? It is almost certain that Chairman KP Sharma Oli will be our Chairman again.

In the previous constitution, we had 19 office bearers. Now, we have 15 office bearers after cutting four office bearers. That is why we believe in collective leadership in our party, so other leaders will be elected around the main leader. We form the leadership in the way the main leadership (Chairman) feels comfortable. I hear some other friends making claims as well.

It is not an informal way. We basically reach the conclusion of who will work where, what will be the role of whom, based on the advice of the team. That is why my claim or not, the claim or not of other friends also depends on this. The core leadership will come up with a proposal on how to manage the team and how to take the party forward in the future. We will move forward on the basis of that proposal.

Senior Vice President Ishwor Pokharel's side is preparing to form a panel and compete against the establishment. Have you made any predictions about the outcome?

Everyone can compete in UML. Every representative can stand for any position, that is not a problem. We have already opened the door to that method. Friends who want to compete for any position have their own thing.

We have created an environment where people can work in UML, regardless of whether they fight this election or not, whether they are in the committee or not. That is why we only hear the name of Comrade Ishwor Pokharel among the candidates now. We have not heard of others. He has been saying that he will stand for the presidency. He has spoken about it formally in the media. The formal process has not started within the party. If he really sends it after the general convention begins, he will be able to compete. The result will be for him to do the accounting himself.

The issue of handing over leadership in the party is being raised within the party. It is said that the internal democracy in the party is weak. That is why the argument is that the senior vice-president Ishwar Paksha is preparing to file his candidacy, right?

Internal democracy does not mean that one person will leave and remain stagnant. It is about being liked by the cadres through competition. In our UML, we call it people's multi-party democracy. We accept it as a guiding principle. We call it competition, superiority and leadership of the people. First, we take the initiative. After running in the race, competition begins between those who have more than one friend.

The one who really stands out in the competition becomes the leader. This is a common method. We have designed the cycle of leadership selection in such a way. To be a people's representative, the people must have trusted them. To be a party leader, the party members must have trusted them. Now, representatives from all over the country have come from people who are trusted by party members.

The leader is the one whom those trusted people trust. Now, if I, anyone or a senior vice president, anyone wants to compete in the election, how many cadres will like me? How many will vote for me? I must have calculated it. That is how it should be. If I am defeated, there is no democracy in the party, internal democracy has deteriorated, and if I am won, the statement that I did a great job will be wrong.

Are you going to amend the statute again to manage aspiring leaders and bring young people under 40 years of age into the central committee?

We will know this group by age. Because to come to the leadership of the Communist Party, ideas and committee experience are all needed. We will not take anyone as a 'show piece' in the way that we have to show off if they are under 40 or 30 years of age. Now, a large number of about 400 young people have become our representatives. This is also their training.

But it is also a matter of which leadership is being formed. Out of these many friends under 40 years of age, how many have been able to work in the committee and come up. They are naturally elected. They should come to the central committee. We have given them a special place in a way to become representatives. Youths are in the same race in leadership selection.

Whatever cluster they are constitutionally told to make inclusive, we will take it as inclusive in the same way. Our constitution has not said to include age groups. Maybe I don't think we will go for that. There is no statute for that. The general convention can change the statute if it wants, it can't. But the statute that has been passed now does not even mention this.

What is the possibility of amending the statute in the general convention?

If the general convention wants, it is possible. It did not happen. This is a matter of the authority of the general convention. It does not mean that the decision made by the statutory convention cannot be changed by another general convention. The general convention is equally empowered. But the issue of amending the statute had to be entered.

You are now the Deputy General Secretary. Which position are you running for?

My personal opinion doesn't matter. We are building a party, advancing ideas, and changing society. That being said, I said at the beginning that other office bearers will be elected to support the core leadership. We are building a team. I will stay in the place that the party deems appropriate for me to stay in, to support the core leadership.

If the team tells me to stay in this place, but the cadres don't like it, we can't do it even if we want to. We have that method. There is an election method in our party. That is why it doesn't come to people wanting to do this. We don't usually go around announcing such things publicly. I am the same way.

More than three dozen leaders from the establishment side seem to be aspiring for office bearers. How do you manage it?

Generally, we allow all the friends to have their say in the committee. Then the chairman also gives his opinion. If they are satisfied with the chairman's opinion, the friends act accordingly. If they are not satisfied, the friends compete on their own. After going to the competition, if the representative is selected, he comes to the leadership. If the representative is not selected, he works in another place under the same method as we have. That is what we will do.

Senior Vice President Ishwar Pokharel has suggested that Chairman KP Oli should go to the commission formed to investigate the incidents of Bhadra 23 and 24, right? Our central committee has decided that we will not recognize the work of the unconstitutional commission.

He spoke against the decision of the central committee. The last central committee has not given legitimacy to this commission by making a decision. If the senior vice president does not accept the decision of the central committee, it will be a disaster. Our last Central Committee meeting has called the current government unconstitutional.