As the general convention of the All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union (Revolutionary) approaches, five leaders are gearing up to vie for the top position.

Naresh Regmi Sharma and Keshab Rawal, the incumbent vice-chairpersons, have already declared their candidacies for the chairmanship of the student wing of CPN (Maoist Centre). Dipesh Pun, general secretary of the present committee Narayan Khanal and Paban Karki, both the vice-chairpersons, are also aspirants for the position.

Pun, son of former vice-president Nanda Bahadur Pun, has a controversial image as he has been linked to different scams. Regmi, who has an image of a studious leader, is among the top contenders for the position. He is also a winner of an award from Kantipur Publications for securing the highest marks in journalism at the bachelor’s level in 2011.

“I want to revamp the image of the student unions,” said Regmi. “If I win, I will put the entire focus of my union to improve the academic environment in the universities.”

The 23rd iteration of the convention will be held from September 18-21 in Chitwan. For years, the Maoist Centre’s leadership has been picking the leadership of its student union. If the student leaders’ claim is anything to go by, the practice will be discontinued as they are committed to selecting the leadership through voting.