Kathmandu, October 4
The 15th General Convention of the Nepali Congress will begin on Sunday, with the party set to hold its opening ceremony at Kathmandu’s Khula Manch.
The convention is being held under the slogan, “Respect tradition, resolve for change — a strong Nepali Congress for a prosperous Nepal.”
The opening ceremony will begin at 2 pm on Sunday. The closed session and other convention activities will be held on Monday and Tuesday.
According to the Central Election Committee, elections for the party’s new leadership and other positions have been scheduled for October 7 and 8.
The party registered convention representatives on Friday and Saturday. Congress spokesperson Devraj Chalise said each representative was required to pay Rs 3,500 for registration.
Registered representatives have been provided with a bag containing the party statute, a diary, a ballpoint pen, food and snack coupons, and an identity card.
More than 7,500 representatives to participate
More than 7,500 convention representatives are expected to participate in the general convention, according to spokesperson Chalise.
“This time, more than 7,500 representatives are participating, which is the largest convention in the history of the Nepali Congress,” Chalise said at a press conference held at Khula Manch on Saturday.
He said the party would seek to make the convention more about policy than simply selecting party leaders.
“We will try to turn this convention into a convention for policy selection rather than merely leadership selection,” he said.
RSP, UML and other parties invited
The Nepali Congress has invited the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), as well as opposition parties including the CPN-UML and the Nepal Communist Party, to the opening ceremony.
Guests have also been invited from India, China, the United States and more than half a dozen other countries.
However, the Congress said the number of foreign guests attending could be limited because of changes to the date of the opening ceremony.
Closed session from Monday
Following Sunday’s opening ceremony, the closed session will begin on Monday.
Party spokesperson Chalise said the convention would discuss the party’s future policies, programmes and various reports on contemporary issues.
Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa will present a policy paper outlining the party’s political, economic, production, employment and foreign policy perspectives for the next five years, according to Chalise.
Hotels booked for representatives, accommodation costs to be borne by delegates
The Congress has arranged hotel accommodation in several parts of Kathmandu, including Gaushala, Koteshwor, Lazimpat, Thamel, New Bus Park, Sundhara, Balaju and Kalanki.
According to Lilaprasad Dhakal, president of the Nepal Democratic Small Hotel Entrepreneurs Association and a member of the accommodation management committee, hotels have been booked to accommodate around 10,000 representatives and supporters.
Representatives from Koshi and Madhesh provinces have been allocated hotels in Gaushala and Koteshwor, while those from Bagmati will stay in Lazimpat and Thamel.
Representatives from Gandaki and Lumbini will be accommodated in Balaju and New Bus Park, while those from Karnali and Sudurpaschim will stay in Sundhara and Kalanki.
Representatives from Nepali Congress sister organisations abroad will be accommodated in Lazimpat and Thamel.
The party said district-level representatives, representatives of overseas Nepali Congress chapters and representatives of sister organisations will have to cover their own accommodation and hotel expenses.
The party will cover accommodation expenses for foreign guests attending the convention.
According to spokesperson Chalise, the party will provide breakfast and lunch to convention representatives at Bhrikutimandap throughout the convention.
Health desk set up with 30 health workers
The Congress has established a health desk at the convention venue to provide medical services to representatives.
According to Dr Kedar Narasingh KC, coordinator of the convention’s health committee, the health desk has been set up on the western side of Khula Manch.
The facility will have five service counters and will provide basic health checks and emergency medical services.
Dr KC, who is also a central committee member, said the health desk would operate in two shifts, with doctors, paramedics and nurses providing services.
Representatives will have access to free blood pressure and blood sugar checks, paracetamol, oral rehydration solution and medicines for minor injuries.
Arrangements have also been made to transfer patients requiring emergency treatment to Bir Hospital, the National Trauma Centre and BP Smriti Hospital in Basundhara.
Two ambulances will remain on standby at the convention venue. An on-call service will also be available at night if medical assistance is required.
Dr KC said arrangements had also been made to provide medical assistance at hotels where representatives are staying if necessary.
Parking arrangements made from Dharahara to Durbarmarg
The Congress has also made parking arrangements for representatives attending the convention at Khula Manch in coordination with traffic police.
According to Vijay Bahadur Swar, coordinator of the convention’s transport management committee, parking has been arranged at the underground parking facility at Dharahara, along the one-way section of the road between Maitighar and Bhadrakali, and at the premises of Annapurna Hotel in Durbarmarg.
The party is also coordinating with traffic police to arrange additional parking around the Old Bus Park and inside Bhrikutimandap.
The 15th General Convention is expected to bring together thousands of Nepali Congress representatives for discussions on the party’s policies and programmes, followed by the election of its new leadership.
