In UML, the issue of 70 years age limit for the executive committee and the limit of holding the executive post for two consecutive terms is becoming complicated. It is seen that these two topics will be at the center of debate in the upcoming legislative convention of UML.

KP Sharma Oli, who became UML president for the second consecutive time, has turned 70 years old. The age limit provision of 70 years in the statute is now suspended. The Legislative Assembly maintained the 70-year-old age limit and the two-term system. Oli cannot become president for a third term. But there is also speculation in the party line that the law will be amended to open the way for him. 

On the other hand, former president Bidya Devi Bhandari is preparing to return to active politics. A close leader said that during the meeting with Oli last week, Bhandari had already expressed his desire to enter active politics. "The former president talked about coming into active politics without saying any position," said a leader close to Bhandari, "He wants to come to the party leadership with the support of Oli." Oli responded that it will be resolved through mutual discussion.

A faction of the UML is trying to promote Bhandari to the position of party president from the next convention. They are in favor of keeping the age limit of 70 years and the provision of two terms. Even if only one of the two provisions is maintained, Oli cannot be the president. On the other hand, Oli is preparing to remove the provisions of the legislative convention age limit and to put in place the provision that the executive post can stay for more than two terms. 

A leader said that Oli's side is in the strategy to attack former President Bhandari by mentioning the provision in the law that the person who has reached the highest body of the country cannot enter into active politics. Recently, Oli had said that the system of 70 years age limit has failed in the party. He said that health and performance should be considered more than age in party leadership.

UML has started preparations to hold a legislative convention on 20-22 August. The UML central secretariat meeting held on Wednesday assigned three leaders to prepare proposals to be presented in the legislative convention, according to which president Oli will prepare a political report, vice president Bishnu Poudel will prepare a legislative amendment and general secretary Shankar Pokharel will prepare an organizational proposal. The Legislative Assembly will be held at Godavari in Lalitpur. The Central Committee meeting will be held on July 5 to prepare for the convention. 

UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali said that the Legislative Assembly will decide on the age limit of 70 years, but it is not necessary to make it a matter of principle. The Legislative Assembly decides the age limit after looking at the need and consulting. It is only a technical and practical matter," he said. "The organizational structure and leadership will be determined by the direction the party takes. It is adopted by the law. He also mentioned that the age limit imposed by a requirement is sometimes a hindrance. 

In the eighth convention held in Butwal in 2065, it was arranged that the same executive position cannot be elected more than twice, while the ninth convention held in Kathmandu in 2071 brought the age limit of 70 years. The UML secretariat meeting held in May 2080 suspended the age limit of 70 years and made Mukund Neupane, who returned from the United Socialist Party, a central member. 

Government's attention to good governance

UML has concluded that one year of the Congress-UML coalition government formed under the leadership of party president Oli has been satisfactory. The UML has claimed that the coalition government has taken the country in the right direction by changing it. 

The conclusion of UML is that after the formation of the coalition government, the basis of political stability in the country has become stronger. UML said that despite many rumors about the government, the understanding between the two parties on policy and other issues is getting stronger. The meeting decided to draw the government's attention to good governance and service delivery. "There is a need for the government to pay more attention to good governance and service delivery," UML Deputy Secretary General Pradeep Gyawali said while narrating the decision of the secretariat meeting. 

UML has thanked the government for quelling the anti-regressive activities regarding the royalist demonstration. "In the meantime, although there have been regressive and anti-republican activities, that situation has come to an end due to the vigilance of the government and the activism of the political parties," UML said in the decision, "regressive efforts have faded." Overall, the country has taken the right direction. The leadership of the party in the government has been effective.' 

Pandey and Timsena's suspension lifted 

UML secretariat meeting has released the suspension of permanent committee member Binda Pandey and central member Ushakiran Timsena. They were suspended for six months last December when they dissented against the party's decision to make the UML central office a donation of a controversial businessman. Along with them, the suspended leader Bhim Rawal has already left the party.