By Arpana Adhikari/ Saligram Nepal/ Shanta Adhikari

Kathmandu, Nov. 26: The 10th National Congress of the main opposition CPN-UML is starting from Friday in Chitwan.
The opening session of the National Congress is going to kick off on the bank of Narayani River. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is set to address the inaugural session of the Congress.
Talking to The Rising Nepal, UML central office secretary Sher Bahadur Tamang said Prime Minister Deuba had already confirmed his participation in the opening session.

Tamang further said chairman of Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal (Loktantrik) Mahanta Thakur had already arrived in Chitwan to attend the event, while leaders of other political parties had also assured their participation for the opening session.
However, it is not sure whether CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ will arrive in Chitwan to address the inaugural session, said Tamang.
But he informed that the party had not invited the leaders of Madhav Kumar Nepal-led CPN (Unified Socialist).

The party has also confirmed the participation of leaders of foreign political parties in the inaugural. Organising a press meet here today, the UML’s foreign affairs department confirmed the participation of 15 foreign guests in the National Congress.

Gopal Khanal, member of foreign affairs department, said three leaders of Communist Party of Bangladesh, one of Communist Party of India-Marxist, one of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Party of Sri Lanka, four of Cambodian People’s Party, two of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and two of Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist-Liberation would take part in the opening session.
Khanal said, “All delegates will hold a bilateral meeting with party chairman KP Sharma Oli in Chitwan.”

According to Tamang, the opening session would take place at 12:00 pm on the bank of the Narayani River. “The opening session include rallies, unveiling of mascot, flag hoisting ceremony of national and party flags.”
Tamang informed that 2,235 elected and nominated delegates would participate in the National Congress.

The party’s National Congress is mainly focused on building party leadership, while the party ranks are busy making efforts to unanimously elect most office bearers and leadership.
However, the party leaders have been claiming that the 10th National Congress of the party will be characterised by unity in terms of policy, psychology and leadership.
The National Congress will elect 225 central committee members including 15 office bearers and 15 members each in Account and Discipline Commission.
Tamang said, “The discussion is still underway to unanimously elect the officer bearers. However, we are well prepared to hold elections if efforts to elect office bearers and party leadership through consensus fails.”

Bank of Narayani River adorned like bride Our Chitwan Correspondent writes on the eve of the national congress, the bank of the Narayani River is adorned like a bride.
A massive stadium has been constructed on the north side of the exhibition ground on the banks of the river.
Large led screens are installed at different sections of the venue to make the stages visible for all the participants.

UML Chitwan chairperson Parvati Rawal said party chair Oli inspected venues of the Narayani River and Sauraha.
Party Secretary and coordinator of National Congress Publicity Committee Yogesh Bhattarai said the inaugural session of the National Assembly would witness a sea of people.
Speaking at a press conference held on the bank of the Narayani River, Bhattarai claimed that 500,000 people would participate in the National Congress.

The UML said that it would organise massive rallies from seven different places in Chitwan. Five thousand volunteers will be mobilised in the opening session, he added.
More than 50 welcome gates have been set up in Chitwan alone, said Bhattarai.