Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML)

The party was founded on April 22, 1949 by Pushpa Lal Shrestha, during the people's struggle against the autocratic Rana regime. The party was banned in 1952 for three years. The first National Congress of the party was convened on January 30, 1954. Man Mohan Adhikari was elected General Secretary of the party and New Democratic Revolution was adopted as the party's strategic program for revolution in the country. The second National Congress of the Party was held on May 8, 1957 and Dr Keshar Jung Rayamajhi was elected General Secretary of the party. The party is presently chaired by Madhav Kumar Nepal as its General Secretary.

Goals

The CPN-UML was founded by the revolutionaries to establish a new democratic system in the country to liberate the country from feudal and imperialist exploitation and to preserve the independence of the country. The party aims to win a majority in the Constituent Assembly election to guarantee the implementation of its platform and policies.

Platform

The party adheres to Marxism-Leninism as its guiding principle and socialism as its goal. The party is firmly committed to nationalism, democracy, equality and justice and to ensuring progress and prosperity of the people. The party upholds the principles of socialism and pursues People's Multi-Party Democracy, a creative application of Marxism and Leninism in the Nepalese context.

Consolidation of democracy, strengthening people's sovereign rights, changing socio-economic relations and acceleration of economic development in the country are the major concerns of the party.

The party believes in harmony and unity among the people of all religions, castes, communities and ethnic groups living in different geographical regions of the country. The party works against any discrimination on the basis of race, religion, caste, ethnicity, sex and region. Economically self sustained society, quality education and health services, full employment and social security for overall welfare of the people are also important features of the party program.

Summary of Manifesto

The CPN-UML has coined the slogans "Let's build a competent and prosperous Nepal" and "Let's establish federal democratic republic state, where there will be three-tire system of governance, centre, region and local" for the CA election. The party has opted to go for a three-tier federal structure based on the country's ethnic, linguistic and cultural composition and geographical specialty.

The manifesto of the party says that a high-level constitutional commission would be set up for constituting local bodies that may function within autonomous provinces. The manifesto of the CPN-UML has proposed that the country's PM be directly elected by the people. According to the manifesto, the PM will be more powerful than the president who will be elected by both the central legislative assembly and members of the federal assemblies. It says that the president will be the symbol of unity and equality for ethnic groups.

The constitution will define the basis of power sharing among the 3 levels of government - central, provincial and local. The central government will control the national security, foreign relations, monetary policy and central bank, railways, airways, national highways, central universities issues of human rights and protection of fundamental rights of people, apex court, customs offices, mega hydroelectric projects and managements of those projects transcending provinces, sharing of resources and resolution of provincial disputes.

The provincial government shall have control over provincial courts, provincial service commission, public security, industry, trade, commerce and labor management, education and health management, ownership of water resources, land and forest, provincial roads, internal revenues and preservation of resources.

Local bodies shall have rights to manage local roads and rural transportation, gas, electricity, water supply, sanitation, taxation, public education and health, protection and preservation of local natural resources and historical monuments as well as heritage.

The party has outlined the structure of governance of the central, provincial and local levels. There shall be a bicameral parliament at the centre. The federal provinces, however, shall have only one legislative body. The local bodies shall be run and be managed by elected representative. It has proposed a mixed election system for election of central parliament and provincial assembly. However, the election of the local bodies shall be held on the first-past-the-post basis.

The federal assemblies shall have the right to determine the official language of the state, but all the languages should get national recognition. Number of states would be determined after an understanding is reached among the parties in the constituent assembly. The high level of constitutional commission shall furnish recommendations to restructure the country, and the recommendation will define the criteria of autonomy and the right to self-determination for such federal states.

The party has proposed that a referendum be conducted to take decisions on major national issues such as national integrity and sovereignty. It says that the security wings shall become inclusive and the national army shall be accountable to the central parliament.

It has proposed three-tired system for judiciary and administration. There will be a Supreme Court at the centre, and regional and local courts in federal states.

The party has proposed mixed economy with a focus on development of public cooperatives and private sectors. It states that the government will provide free education up to grade 12. The party manifesto has stressed on vocational, technical and distance learning education. Similarly, it says that a high level education commission will be formed to introduce scientific education system.

The party has proposed free basic health service to all people and free health service for all physically challenged people and old citizens. On the issue of foreign relations, it says that all the unequal treaties will be reviewed in favor of Nepal.

It has proposed that a party with majority votes in the CA poll will lead a government which will have proportional representation of all political parties.