Millions spent on UML statute convention turn it into a ‘picnic’

KATHMANDU, Dec 10: What was billed as the CPN-UML’s Second Statute Convention has ended up feeling more like a “picnic” for delegates, as the party now prepares to rewrite the very statute it endorsed just months ago. With nearly Rs 170 million reportedly spent on the event, questions are mounting over why such a costly exercise is being undone so quickly.

The statute endorsed in Godavari from September 5 to 7 is now headed to the 11th General Convention for amendment. “They say Rs 170 million was spent on the Statute Convention. Now they are again talking about amending it. Why was all that money spent then? There must be an answer,” a UML office bearer remarked.

When asked about the massive expenditure, Publicity Department Chief Rajendra Gautam said he had no information. “I can’t say how much was spent. You should ask the Finance Department,” he said. Party Office Secretary Dr Bhishma Adhikari did not answer calls, and Finance Department Chief Bishnu Rimal could not be reached.

Chair KP Sharma Oli has already begun internal consultations on revising the endorsed statute, triggering parallel discussions among other party office bearers as well.

The sudden push for amendment comes amid a surge of aspirants eyeing party positions—from central members all the way up to top posts. Insiders say one major motive is to keep leaders and cadres from drifting toward Senior Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokhrel, who is emerging as Oli’s main challenger.

Funded through levies paid by UML cadres, the Statute Convention now appears to have served as a mere formality. Although it reduced the number of office bearers to 15—one chair, three vice-chairs, one general secretary, three deputy general secretaries, and seven secretaries—leaders such as Surendra Pandey and Yogesh Bhattarai had warned during the convention that provisions likely to require later revisions should not be pushed through. Oli nonetheless endorsed the proposal tabled by Vice-Chair Bishnu Paudel.

The Pokhrel faction now insists no amendment is necessary. “If the statute had to be amended anyway, why hold a Statute Convention? When we said this might need revision later, why was it forced through?” asked Karna Thapa from the Pokhrel camp.

The 10th General Convention held in Chitwan in 2021 had elected a 19-member office-bearer team, a structure still in place today. The Pokhrel faction claims Oli is now eager to revise the statute because aspirants within his own circle are increasing in number.

Vice-Chair Astalaxmi Shakya accused the leadership of prioritizing statute amendments over long-promised leadership transition. She argued that raising amendment issues after delegates have already been chosen is unacceptable. “Delegates have been selected. Now, bringing up statute amendments cannot be justified,” she said.

Shakya emphasized that leaders with genuine contributions must be acknowledged. “KP Oli has contributed, but Ishwar Pokhrel has contributed even more. Oli should now take a rest—he is already at that age. At a time when he should be resting, he should not create problems by clinging to leadership. After 11 years at the helm, he has already shown his capacity,” she said, adding that the two-term limit and the age cap of 70—provisions Oli himself once championed—should be honored.

Feeling pressure from the Pokhrel faction, the Oli camp is now preparing to increase the number of senior vice-chairs, vice-chairs, and secretaries. The Pokhrel faction has warned that if amendments proceed, the party must retain both the two-term limit and the 70-year age ceiling.