CHITWAN: The 10th National General Convention of the CPN-UML is beginning with pomp and pageantry in Chitwan from today.

The mega event will be inaugurated on the bank of the Narayani River by UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli today afternoon.

Prior to this, rallies will be taken out from eight different places including Anptari, Bus Park, Pulchowk, Chaubiskothi in Chitwan, UML Publicity Chief Yogesh Bhattarai said.

Around 500,000 leaders and cadres including the general convention representatives are expected to attend the mega event, according to Bhattarai.

Invited leaders from various political parties including Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba will deliver welcome speeches.

Similarly, Janata Samajwadi Party Chairman Upendra Yadav, Democratic Socialist Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur among others will address the session. Over 2,175 will take part in the general convention to elect a new leadership of the UML.

The inaugural session will conclude at 4 pm, according to Bhattarai. Leaders from five major countries including those from major four parties of India are arriving in Chitwan.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda, however, is not participating in the general convention of the party.

Maoist Center is preparing to send a senior leader to participate in the mega event, said Ramesh Malla, personal aide of Prachanda.

CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal has not been invited. Leader Bhim Rawal is making preparations to file his candidature for the post of chairman while leaders Sherdhan Rai and Mahesh Basnet are claiming for the post of secretaries.

CPN-UML will have 15 office-bearers including a chairperson, one senior vice chairperson, four vice chairpersons, one general secretary, one deputy general secretary and seven secretaries as endorsed by the UML Statute Convention held from October 1 to 3.