Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa on Sunday inaugurated the party’s 15th General Convention, formally opening a gathering expected to discuss the party’s political direction and organisational future.

Thapa opened the convention by laying wreaths at portraits of the party’s former presidents, lighting a ceremonial lamp and watering a sapling.

Former prime ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai, and CPN-UML general secretary Shankar Pokhrel, among other leaders attending the inaugural ceremony, also paid tribute at the portraits.

Addressing the opening session, Congress vice-president Pushpa Bhusal said the convention should serve as a forum to discuss the party’s present and future after its long struggle for democracy.

“This convention is being held as a forum to reflect on and discuss the present and future of the Nepali Congress, a party that has made history through its struggle for democracy since 1947,” Bhusal said.

She said the convention was not merely about allocating party positions.

“This convention is not being held simply to manage positions. It should be a forum for Congress leaders and activists, as well as everyone who believes in democracy and the Congress, to engage in self-reflection,” she said.

Congress Kathmandu district president Krishna Sabuj Baniya said the party was now completing the mandate given to it by the special convention.

He said the 15th General Convention was moving towards fulfilling that mandate and called on the party to address its shortcomings positively.

Welcoming delegates and participants to the convention, Baniya said the gathering was taking place with an effort to bring together all sections of the party.