Yogesh Bhattarai, a candidate for the post of Deputy General Secretary at the ongoing UML general convention, has said that the convention will work to turn the party from the leader's residence and Kathmandu towards the people. Speaking to media persons at the convention venue, he said, "If the gap between the party and the people continues to widen, incidents like those of Bhadra 23 and 24 will happen."

He also expressed confidence that the UML would remove the bitterness within the party through the convention. He said that the party was trying to spread new ideas after the Gen-G rebellion and that this was due to the situation after Bhadra 23 and 24. He said, 'This convention was held due to different circumstances. It will examine our good and bad things.'

Bhattarai said that the time has come to reawaken the waning faith of the people in the party and said that the convention should send a message that new leadership is needed in all three major parties. He also said that the convention will strengthen the internal democracy of the CPN-UML and make smooth arrangements for the transfer of leadership.