”We should not accept the results of past competitions or treat the losers like second-class citizens.” - Ishwar Pokharel
What you should know
The opposition faction of the Ishwor Pokharel leadership has concluded that the responsibility of maintaining internal unity in the UML has fallen to the 'court' of Chairman KP Sharma Oli. The opposition faction meeting held on Saturday also decided to oppose any partisanship, factionalism, division and discrimination based on the competition for leadership within the party.
In this context, UML leader Ishwar Pokharel had a conversation with Kantipur worker Ganga BC :
You competed for the leadership but the expected results did not come. How do you move forward now?
The review of various issues related to the general convention is in place. But since the general convention has finalized all the issues, now we should follow the elected leadership. While saying this, the ideas we have raised, especially the party should be run according to the method and system. There should be collective leadership in the party. The party should be reformed with collective leadership. The arrangement of checks and balances in the party, the arrangement of people's multi-party democracy (Jabaj) should be strengthened. We discuss and debate this issue in the party as needed. In the past, it should not be the case that we did not accept the results of the competition or treated the defeated like second citizens.
Two office bearers and a dozen central members of your party have won. What role do you play within the party?
How will the party chairman and the elected leadership address this issue? We need to see. It is not appropriate to say this or that right now.
Did Chairman KP Sharma Oli and you meet or talk after the leadership election?
It has not happened. There is an expectation that you will take the party forward in a good way and we will support you in this.
Even if you are defeated as chairman, you are in the central committee. What will be your responsibilities now?
I have no 'demands'. I will do whatever role I have to fulfill because I was elected to the central committee.
