NC 15th General Convention begins in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress’ 15th General Convention has begun at Khulamanch in Tundikhel, Kathmandu, with around 7,500 representatives participating in the party’s largest gathering of its kind.

Party President Gagan Kumar Thapa inaugurated the convention amid the participation of senior Nepali Congress leaders and representatives from across the country and abroad.

The convention will hold its closed sessions over the next two days, while elections for the party’s new leadership are scheduled for October 7 and 8.

The party has formed 15 committees to oversee various aspects of the convention. Separate halls have been prepared at Khulamanch for the closed sessions, along with a media centre and a primary healthcare unit.

According to NC spokesperson Devraj Chalise, the closed sessions will be held in three halls named Himal, Pahad and Terai-Madhesh. Party President, Vice-President, General Secretary and Treasurer will present separate reports, which will be discussed in three panels based on geographical regions. Participants will be able to access the reports through digital boards installed at the venue.

Representatives from across the country and abroad have arrived in Kathmandu for the convention. The Accommodation Management Committee has appointed coordinators for each electoral constituency, district and province to arrange lodging for participants.

Accommodation has been arranged in areas including the Tribhuvan International Airport area, Gaushala, Sundhara, Thamel, Lazimpat, Kalanki and New Bus Park. Details have been shared with participants through WhatsApp messages, AI numbers and SMS.

According to the accommodation committee, breakfast, lunch and dinner are available in the Bhrikutimandap area.

The General Convention Central Election Commission told RSS that around 7,500 representatives are participating in the convention. It is the first time in the party’s history that such a large number of representatives have been elected to participate in a general convention.

Historic venue

The convention is being held at Tundikhel, a site of historical significance to Nepal’s democratic movement. It was here that Nepali Congress founder and Nepal’s first elected prime minister, BP Koirala, delivered his first public address after returning from exile.

Tundikhel was also where another founding leader of the Nepali Congress, Ganeshman Singh, proclaimed the success of the 1990 People’s Movement, which ended the Panchayat system.