Some foreign delegates representing political parties and organisations from several countries are expected to participate in the 15th General Convention of the Nepali Congress, which is set to begin in Kathmandu on Sunday.

The party had invited political parties from India, China, Bangladesh, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Socialist International and other organisations to participate in the general convention. However, due to recent floods and incessant rainfall, as well as their own internal circumstances, only a few representatives are expected to attend, said Geja Wagle, who is coordinating reception of foreign delegates.

The party had sent invitations to the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress of India, the Communist Party of China, the Democratic and Republican parties of the United States, the Social Democratic Party of Germany and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, among others.

“We have been told that the BJP will send a message, while someone from the Indian National Congress will represent the party at the general convention,” Wagle said.

“Someone from the Communist Party of China will also represent the party at the convention. We also expect representation from the United Kingdom. Otherwise, we will receive messages from various political parties.”

The party said it had not invited many foreign representatives to the convention. Another reason it gives for the low participation is the perceived reluctance of foreigners to travel to Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating Bhotekoshi flood and the subsequent spell of heavy rainfall that claimed life and property across the country. “Nevertheless, the response from the international community has been good,” said Wagle.

Chantal Kambiwa, general coordinator of the Socialist International, has already arrived in Kathmandu carrying a message from Pedro Sánchez, the prime minister of Spain.

According to a Nepali Congress leader, participation by foreign delegations in the party’s general convention has declined significantly for multiple reasons.

“First, such a tradition is fading across the globe. Second, the Nepali Congress itself is divided. How many representatives do we send to other parties’ conferences?” a Congress leader observed. “Fragmentation over political ideology in the party also led to declining participation in the convention.”

Rastriya Swatantra Party chair Rabi Lamichhane, CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Communist Party chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Rastriya Prajatantra Party chair Rajendra Lingden, Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal chair Upendra Yadav and Janamat Party chair Chandra Kanta Raut have confirmed their participation in the inauguration ceremony, the Congress says. 

Aren Rai, general secretary of the Shram Sanskriti Party, and Ghanshyam Paudel, acting general secretary representing the Rastriya Janamorcha chief, are also scheduled to attend the inauguration ceremony.

According to Congress spokesperson Devaraj Chalise, around 7,500 delegates will participate in the general convention. So far, 7,028 delegates have been confirmed.