KP Sharma Oli (File Photo)
ITAHARI: The Koshi Province Committee of CPN-UML is holding its 1st General Convention in Biratnagar on September 29-30.
A total of 1,047 delegates, who have been elected from different district chapters and other organizations of the party, will select the new leadership of the province committee.
CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to inaugurate the general convention at Manaslu Party Palace at 11 am on Friday.
According to Tulsi Neupane, chairman of UML’s Koshi Province Committee, 48 delegates have been selected from Taplejung, 30 from Panchthar, 77 from Ilam, 181 from Jhapa, 43 from Tehrathum, 39 from Sankhuwasabha, 27 from Bhojpur, 72 from Dhankuta, 96 from Sunsari, 178 from Morang, 16 from Solukhumbu, 42 from Okhaldhunga, 56 from Khotang, and 36 from Udayapur. “Likewise, sister organizations of the party will send 56 delegates, while the province committee will nominate 50 delegates,” he added.
Along with Neupane, three other leaders are vying for the post of chairman. Central committee members Binod Dhakal and Ghanashyam Kahatiwada and incumbent vice chairman Tika Chemjong have expressed their willingness to contest for the post. Although Bishal Bhattarai was also expected to run for the post, he has not shown any interest yet.
All four aspirants are waiting for the go-ahead from Chairman Oli.
UML leaders and cadres say the leader getting Oli’s nod will be elected chairman of the Koshi Province Committee on a consensus basis. Given that it didn’t work during the general convention of UML’s Lumbini Province Committee, some say an election is inevitable.
Oli hasn’t backed any candidate yet.
Addressing the 1st general convention of CPN-UML’s Bagmati Province Committee some days ago, Oli had said that no one is allowed to contest the election by forming panels. “It is okay as long as candidates participate in fair competition. But contesting the election by forming panels won’t be acceptable,” Oli said.
