Nepal, Kathmandu, December 26, 2023, – The central committee meeting of the CPN (Unified Socialist) concluded on Thursday in Kathmandu, sparking heated discussions among party members on various policy documents as the party faces challenges retaining its cadres.
The meeting, which addressed contemporary political issues and evaluated the performance of party committees at different levels and sister wings, witnessed a unanimous endorsement of the political document presented by party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal. However, dissenting views emerged during the deliberations, particularly from the party’s second-in-command, Jhala Nath Khanal.
Chair Nepal’s political document, presented on Tuesday, outlined the party’s ideological perspective and defended the ruling coalition, emphasizing continuity in the alliance with the Nepali Congress. In contrast, Khanal, in his counter-document, criticized the proposal to align with what he referred to as a “rightist force,” arguing that a long-term alliance with the Nepali Congress would be detrimental to the party’s communist ideals.
The disagreement between Nepal and Khanal also extended to the party’s approach to People’s Multiparty Democracy, propounded by Madan Bhandari. Khanal argued that the idea had lost its relevance since the promulgation of the new constitution in 2015, while Nepal defended its continued importance in the current political landscape.
Central committee member Ashesh Ghimire noted that despite the differences, there was optimism that the leaders could reconcile their views, emphasizing the need for senior leaders to present a unified front.
Party spokesman Jagannath Khatiwada echoed this sentiment, describing the differences as constructive and asserting that they would not negatively impact the party. He expressed confidence that the issues would be resolved during the upcoming general convention, scheduled for January 28 to February 1 next year.
Vice-chair Pramesh Hamal acknowledged the dissenting views and assured that they would be thoroughly discussed at the central committee and the general convention. Hamal emphasized the party’s commitment to incorporating diverse perspectives into its documents through open discussions.
Despite the internal ideological debates, the party faces an additional challenge as it grapples with the departure of members. The Unified Socialist, formed in August 2021, has seen a wave of cadres rejoining the CPN-UML, the party from which it split. The party’s failure to cross the three percent vote threshold in the recent elections further complicates its struggle to retain members.
Deputy chair Hamal acknowledged the trend of leaders quitting the party but characterized it as a “purification process.” He stressed the need for a deep analysis of the reasons behind members leaving, urging the party to identify and rectify any flaws in its policies and programs.
As the Unified Socialist navigates internal differences and external challenges, the upcoming general convention looms as a critical juncture for the party to solidify its stance and address the concerns raised by dissenting members.