The main opposition party, the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has been holding workshops, seminars and meetings in different parts of the country. Party leader Madhav Kumar Nepal says that this is being done to strengthen the party\'s grip from the grassroots level to the national stage.

In the beginning, the deliberations are being held at the regional committee level, moving on to the districts, and then to the VDC, wards and block committees. All party members have been notified to attend these meetings. The performance of the various committees are being analysed-if the party is not functioning properly in a certain area, reasons are sought, with suggestions and recommendations forwarded to improve the situation.

Besides this, categorisation of all members will also take place. There\'s a drive on to increase membership, and new members will be familiarised with the way the party and its affiliates work. The party also wants to pick and choose when it comes to choosing appropriate people for appropriate places. The constituencies where the UML has failed to grow will come under special focus, and action will be taken against inefficient members and leaders.

New members are being attracted by stressing that the party is a significant player in national politics, and any weakening of its structure will have a negative effect on the life of the nation. Meanwhile, the party budgets for the districts, the VDCs and the ward levels are also being scrutinised. The UML, it seems, is getting serious.