The party's political report drafting committee has prepared the report with an intention to end ideological debate; however, the document is yet to be endorsed through the committee itself. The committee led by UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, nonetheless, concluded that the Nepali society is heading towards capitalism.

“The meeting will approve the political report and work on the convention," said the party's General Secretary Shankar Pokharel.

Khanal, right ahead of the convention, is leaving for an eight-day visit to China leading a 20-member delegation. Parliamentary Party leader and candidate for party chair KP Sharma Oli, too, is currently abroad for treatment at Bangkok. He is scheduled to stay there for at least two weeks.

“We have not decided to defer the conclave till date, but a change in the timetable of the convention has been contemplated,” said Prithivi Subba Gurung, secretary of the party's central secretariat.  

Preparations for the convention are already lagging behind the scheduled timetable. Senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal and Oli are in fray to lead the party for the next five years. Sources say Nepal is trying to push the date for the conclave with a view to weaken Oli's existing power equation by luring some his loyal cadres.

But leaders close to Oli claim the convention will be held within the scheduled timeframe. "It is unnecessary to doubt over the convention as we will make sure the conclave is held on time since Oli is ready to file his candidacy from hospital," said Karna Bahadur Thapa, one of the confidant of Oli.