KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) central member Dr. Shekhar Koirala has issued an appeal to mark the start of the 14th General Convention with ward conventions kicking off Friday and to make the convention a success.

Viewing the general convention as a celebration for the party, he urged all to participate in it to strengthen the party internally and exemplify the practice of the democratic process nationally and internationally instead of being consumed by concepts of victory and defeat.

Issuing a press statement Friday, he said the NC would elect new leadership and representatives through elections at all levels by exemplifying democratic practice and strengthening the organization internally while noting increased participation of active members this time. He urged all to take the 14th General Convention as an opportunity to develop new ideas and new leadership in a responsible manner.

Noting the glorious history of the NC and the present situation, he asked all to attend the general convention with the determination to make the party glorious again and advocated healthy competition to strengthen internal democratic practice. “Healthy and decent competition will elevate the image of the NC nationally and internationally.”

Realizing that the NC lost to the communists in the last general election, he said the general convention gave the opportunity to reform the party and move ahead to make the NC the number one party that is reliable and trustworthy.

“At the 14th General Convention, we have a responsibility to present ourselves in accordance with the dignity and sentiments of those martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the democratic movement, the victims of the conflict as well as the ordinary citizens in every walk of life,” he said. He warned that even common mistakes and weaknesses on part of the NC could lead to a situation where the party could be irrelevant to future generations.

Stating that all eyes will be on the NC in the next 100 days, he urged all in a way to win the hearts of all nationally and internationally, and make the Congress General Convention that has begun Friday a success.