The seventh General Convention of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) kicked off Saturday at the historic town of Janakpur in mid-eastern Nepal.

The slogan of the convention is “Democracy, peace and all-round development: A Progressive way out of retrogression.” General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal inaugurated the conference by unfurling the party flag which will conclude on Feb 5 by electing the new party leadership and the central committee.

Altogether 1006 activists are participating in the convention four days after the government and the Maoists agreed end a seven year communist insurgency that has claimed at least 7,000 lives. Radical Maoists are fighting for a republic even as the moderate UML Chief said Saturday the party will fight to protect the gains of the 1990 popular movement.

The party following its central committee meeting in the eve of the General Convention announced that it was prepared to accept the alternatives of round table conference, interim government and the constituent assembly in the wake of the ceasefire announced between the government and the Maoists. 

‘The talks should be transparent. Our party had always pressed for such talks which should ultimately bring peace,” Nepal said while inaugurating the conference. Col. Pun earlier said he will share information on sensitive  government Maoist talks while sharing information.

The meeting also granted permission to senior party leader K. P. Sharma Oli to present a separate political report. Oli has been advocating for the introduction of presidential system of leadership in the party. He has been claiming that the presidential system of leadership would help to democratize the party further.