KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) is holding its 15th General Convention at the historic Tundikhel Khula Manch in Kathmandu, where party founder and Nepal’s first elected Prime Minister BP Koirala delivered his first public address after returning from exile.
The convention will be inaugurated at 2:00 pm on Sunday, October 4. Tundikhel is also the site where another founding leader of the Nepali Congress, Ganeshman Singh, announced the success of the 2046 BS (1990) People’s Movement that ended the country’s autocratic rule.
Party President Gagan Kumar Thapa is scheduled to inaugurate the convention. Senior Nepali Congress leaders as well as leaders of major political parties are expected to address the inaugural session.
Party Spokesperson Devraj Chalise said the event was historic as around 44,000 young people from the new generation had assumed organisational responsibilities through the convention process, with more than 7,000 representatives elected by them participating in the event.
For the first time, the convention will provide representation in the Central Working Committee to people under 35, democracy activists, representatives of labour and professional groups, and Nepalis living abroad.
“An energetic Nepali Congress, a new resolution” is the main theme of the convention, according to Chalise. He said the discussion sessions would focus on the new resolution and prepare a blueprint for its implementation.
“This general convention will select leadership capable of implementing these resolutions,” Chalise said, adding that the convention would focus on establishing effective methods and procedures within the party.
Stating that the Nepali Congress had played a historic role in the country’s politics, Chalise said the party now sought to create a new chapter in its history. He said the party would seek to connect BP Koirala’s legacy with the future by adopting his ideology as an ideological basis for the country’s prosperity.
The party said delegates from across the country and abroad were continuing to arrive in Kathmandu for the convention, with approximately 7,500 general convention delegates expected to participate.
Registration of general convention delegates began today at the party’s central office in Sanepa. The Election Committee said delegates would have to pay Rs 3,500 for registration.
The Housing Management Committee said it had appointed a coordinator from each constituency, district and province to facilitate accommodation arrangements for delegates from their respective areas.
According to the committee, participants will be able to receive accommodation-related information through WhatsApp, an AI-based information number and SMS.
Following today’s inaugural session, the closed session will be held on Monday and Tuesday. The party president, vice presidents, general secretary and treasurer are scheduled to present separate reports during the closed session.
The reports will be discussed in three separate halls, with participants divided into groups according to their geographical areas. Chalise said digital boards would be installed in each hall so that participants could view and listen to the reports being presented.
The Election Committee has scheduled the registration of candidates’ nominations from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on October 5. The nomination process will take place at the Rastriya Sabha Griha. The committee said the election schedule could be revised if necessary.
Parking facilities for private cars and motorcycles used by convention participants have been designated at Bhrikuti Mandap, the National Assembly premises and the old bus park area. Parking for large buses has been arranged along one lane of the Maitighar-Bhadrakali section.
A media centre will also be established at the convention venue to provide updates on the 15th General Convention and facilitate media briefings.
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