Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli has introduced the concept of “socialism with Nepali characteristics”.
Presenting his political report at the 2nd Statute Convention of the party, which kicked off in Lalitpur on Friday, Oli said the socialist state system should embrace plurality and diversity based on the specific characteristics of society.
The political report, recited by Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali on Oli’s behalf, states that Nepal’s socialist system will move forward by harmonizing plurality and diversity as inherent features of society. “We will not promote uniformity in the name of unity; instead, we will foster unity in diversity,” Oli said in his report.
According to the report, the essential responsibilities of socialism with Nepali characteristics include safeguarding and promoting national interests, dignity, identity and independence.
“A vital aspect of socialism with Nepali characteristics is to embrace the universal values of democracy. Constitutional supremacy, rule of law, human rights, separation of powers and periodic elections will be integral to state governance,” the report states. “Competition among political parties will be ensured. Governance will operate solely through the people’s mandate, with guarantees that no unelected authority will exist.”
The report categorizes Nepal’s class structure into lower, middle and upper classes. Households with annual incomes of less than around Rs 150,000 fall into the lower class; those earning between Rs 150,000 and Rs 500,000 are in the middle class; and those earning above Rs 500,000 are classified as the upper class.
The convention will continue until Sunday.
