The first general convention of the breakaway Nepali Congress (Democratic) Party kicked off at New Baneswore in Kathmandu this afternoon.

Acting president of the Nepali Congress (Democratic), Gopal Man Shrestha, inaugurating the 11th general convention of the party at New Baneshwore, Thursday, Jan 05 06.

Acting president of the Nepali Congress (Democratic), Gopal Man Shrestha, inaugurating the 11th general convention of the party at New Baneshwore, Thursday, Jan 05 06. nepalnews.com/rh
Thousands of NC (D) delegates from around the country have arrived Kathmandu to take part in their party’s convention.

The premises of the Birendra International Convention Center (BICC) has been decorated with the four-star flag of the party.

Acting NC (D) president, Gopal Man Shrestha, inaugurated the general convention, which the party claims to be its 11th convention.

Media reports earlier said founder leader of Nepali Congress and former premier, K. P. Bhattarai, was expected to inaugurate the convention. Bhattarai is no more taking part in active politics mainly due to ill health after the NC underwent a vertical split in 2002.

Then premier Sher Bahadur Deuba led the break away faction after NC led by G P Koirala started disciplinary action against him for dissolving the parliament the same year.

Both the parties, however, are agitating against the royal takeover of February 2005 as members of the seven-party opposition alliance.

NC (D) is likely to declare itself neutral towards the constitutional monarchy in its party statute. The 11th general convention of Nepali Congress had also decided to delete references to constitutional monarchy from the party’s statute last year in response to the royal takeover.