CHITWAN: The 10th General Convention of the main opposition CPN-UML party has kicked off in Chitwan with pomp and pageantry.

The party’s inaugural session began with fanfare amid a grand function on the banks of the Narayani River in Chitwan in the presence of thousands of UML supporters, leaders of political parties, including those from neighboring countries.

As many as 500,000 people are expected to attend the inaugural session of the party’s jamboree.

A hall is being constructed with the sitting arrangement for representatives and volunteers for the closed sessions while arrangement for lodging and food for them is also made.

A total of 2,175 representatives — from the party’s geographic committees, sister organizations, department and liaison committees and diaspora — and 103 observers would take part in the party’s general convention

Prime Minister and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and top leaders of different political parties are addressing the inaugural session.

PM Deuba has already arrived in Chitwan.

Likewise, representatives of political parties from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and other countries are attending the inaugural session.

Similarly, messages of the best wishes have been received from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and other political parties from different countries, according to leader Yogesh Bhattarai.

The closed session of the convention will begin from 8:30 am onwards on November 27.

The voting process will begin at 12:00 noon on November 28 and 100 e-voting machines have been readied for the same purpose.