UML Kicking off 11th Congress Amid Calls for Change

The 11th National General Congress of the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist–Leninist (CPN-UML) is kicking off today amid rising calls from within and outside the party for greater youth leadership.

The congress is being closely watched not only for its leadership choices and policy direction, but also for how Nepal’s major parties respond to growing demands for generational change.

In recent months, youth activists and civic groups have been pushing for younger leaders to take the helm, challenging longstanding hierarchies and calling for more transparent and accountable political processes.

Ahead of the event, a faction aligned with General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel has put leadership reform at the top of the agenda.

UML Vice-Chair Surendra Pandey, speaking at a pre-convention event, criticized the culture of “one-person domination” and pointed out that party rules limit leaders to two terms in the same position a provision he said has often been ignored.

Speakers also emphasized ending internal manipulation, factional deals, and misinformation campaigns that concentrate power, while proposing that at least 20 percent of the new Central Committee be composed of youth representatives.

This could serve as a litmus test of the party’s willingness to embrace reform and generational transition.