The 11th general convention of the CPN-UML was formally inaugurated on Saturday afternoon at Sallaghari, Bhaktapur, with party chair and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli hoisting the party flag through a remote control.

Leaders from various political parties including acting vice-president of Nepali Congress Purna Bahadur Khadka, Nepali Communist Party leader Dev Gurung, Rastriya Prajatantra Party chair Rajendra Lingden, Nepal Communist Party’s General Secretary Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplab’, Nagarik Unmukti Party chair Ranjita Shrestha among leaders from several other parties have attended the inaugural event to extend greetings from their respective parties.

The party has claimed the gathering to be its largest so far, mobilising supporters from across the country by reserving vehicles to bring cadres to the Valley.

Over 2,200 delegates, including elected and nominated representatives, and 309 observers are participating in the convention, which will elect the party’s new leadership. Around 10,000 volunteers have been mobilised for organisational management, according to the organiser.

The convention will elect 15 office-bearers including party chair and 251 central committee. Another 10 percent of members would be nominated.

Although the party statute mandates a general convention every five years, this one has been convened a year early. The 10th convention was held in Chitwan in December 2021. As the statute and policy convention concluded in September, the Bhaktapur gathering is focused mainly on leadership selection.

In the closed-door session, Oli is scheduled to present the political report, while General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel will table the organisational report. Senior Vice Chairman Ishwar Pokhrel has registered a concept paper criticising Oli’s leadership style and raising concerns over internal party democracy, and has announced to challenge Oli for the party chair.

Security has been tightened in and around Sallaghari in view of the convention being held in a changed political context following the Gen Z movement. Kathmandu Valley Police Chief Additional Inspector General Ishwar Karki said separate security plans had been implemented in coordination with district security committees of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.

“More than 1,500 Nepal Police personnel have been deployed,” Karki said, noting that three mega events—the UML convention, the Sakela festival at Tundikhel and the Nepal Premier League final in Kirtipur—were taking place in the Valley on Saturday.

Entry points have been tightened at the convention venue, with metal detectors in use. Trained sniffer dogs from the Nepal Police canine unit have also been deployed to detect explosives. “We are alert to ensure there are no security lapses,” Karki said.

The closed-door sessions of the convention will be held at Bhrikutimandap.