The 11th National Convention of the UML has begun amid expectations of how mainstream parties will adapt to the changed political situation due to the Gen-G movement in Bhadau. The inaugural session concluded on Saturday at Sallaghari in Bhaktapur amid a significant attendance of delegates.

Now, a closed session will be held at Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu on Sunday and Monday. It will select the new leadership. The future leadership of the UML will not only affect the internal life of the party, but also the pace of national politics. Therefore, there is interest being expressed both within and outside the party about this.

The general convention delegates are primarily responsible for analyzing what kind of party they want, what role it should play in national politics, what kind of leadership is needed for that, and electing the leadership accordingly. Let us hope that the general convention delegates of the UML will give impetus to national politics through mature decisions, which will make a qualitative contribution to taking the country in a positive direction.

The then Nepal Communist Party was only able to organize the first and second general conventions in a unified manner. After Pushpalal Dhar held the third general convention separately in Baisakh 2019, the series of divisions in the NCP had begun. And, the trend of holding general conventions and electing leadership in their own ways had begun. One stream from the divided parties/groups had advanced through the then Jhapa District Committee, KOK and MLA.

The same MLA had organized the fourth general convention in Bhadra 2046, which was connected to the broken chain after the third general convention in 2019. After the MLA and Marxists united in Poush 2047 to form UML, the party has organized the fifth general convention in 2049, the sixth in 2054, the seventh in 2059, the eighth in 2065, the ninth in 2071 and the tenth in 2078 under the name of this party. It has also held its legislative general convention in 2078 and 2082. Among the communist parties, the UML is one of the parties that organizes general conventions relatively regularly.

The general convention of any party is the highest place to practice internal democracy. But there has been a tendency to make it a ritual. Let's look at the UML itself, the provisions of two terms and the age limit of 70 years were abolished from the second legislative general convention. That was in line with Chairman KP Sharma Oli's desire to become the chairman for the third time. The positive practice started by UML for leadership transfer and generational succession fell victim to the leadership's aspirations.

The rationale for announcing the general convention a year ago is also linked to Oli's strategy to become the chairman for the third time while he is in power. It is alleged that internal democracy has shrunk in UML because of him. Nepali Communist Party Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been at the helm of the party for 37 years.

He is more adept at not holding regular general conventions or turning the general conventions that are held into rituals. He also did not allow internal democracy to become strong. The general conventions of other communist parties as well as regional parties have also been limited to formalities. In the Congress, it is becoming rare to have a general convention as per the party statute. There is a suspicion that the general convention will be held on the scheduled date this time. 

Because the leadership is powerful and the cadres are weak, the party's general conventions have not been able to become the highest platform to utilize the sovereignty of the cadres. Therefore, there are certain expectations on the general convention representatives of all parties, including the UML and later the Congress or the Nepali Communist Party. How much did they/will they interfere to make the party run according to its principles and policies? Did they/will they use their rights appropriately to revive the practice of internal democracy? They too will not be able to escape such questions and accountability.

Therefore, the general convention representatives themselves are also responsible for creating a situation where they can select the right leadership and adopt it. The tendency to not be able to express their views in a forum like the general convention, not being able to take the initiative for relevant leadership, but complaining after the general convention has also raised questions about their own legitimacy and ability. It has increased disappointment in the parties even among the people. The UML general convention representatives must end such a situation.

In the current context, there is the UML, but the responsibilities of the leaders and cadres of all parties are the same. First, democracy is becoming lax within all parties, the exercise of power by the leaders and the arbitrary tendency are extreme. Therefore, the traditional image of the parties has been tarnished. Therefore, the cadres/general convention representatives should restore internal democracy. For that, appropriate leadership should be selected. Second, a policy should be set that can move society and the country forward in a qualitative manner.