12th Cong plenum opens amid hoopla

ANKIT ADHIKARI

KATHMANDU, SEP 17

The Nepali Congress’ 12th General Convention, which kicked off at the Capital’s Khulamanch with tens of thousands of participants on Friday, may have bigger political implications soon, but its immediate effect in the City was worth noting on the first day.

As the event drew in thousands from across and beyond the country, hotels in areas adjoining the event venue remained totally booked, traffic in the heart of the Capital went haywire with throngs of youth NC supporters rallying around on motorbikes and cars and along the main roads and at major transactions. The entire atmosphere was peppered red, with star embossed NC flags, shouts of “jaya Nepal” and slogans rending the air.

“Democratic” songs composed about the spirit of socialism played on a high note and stage shows by different cultural groups enhanced the lively mood of the convention. “We have come all the way from Nepalgunj to perform,” said Santosh Raj Paudel, a performer and Convention representative.

“We are performing the traditional Mahakali dance,” said Rakesh Bade, one of the Jhaki members from Bhaktapur. A group of doctors were also seen serving the crowd in cases of minor injuries, diarrhoea, headache and nausea. “We received around 65 patients in the last one hour,” said Dr. Upendra Dhungana near Ratna Park. Apart from leaders and NC cadres, the crowd also turned out to be a boon for street vendors selling water, cucumbers, snacks and peanuts. “We are always on the lookout for such events where we can do some business,” said Maya Tuladhar, who was selling water bottles.

While the big NC event at Khulamanch seemed to mesmerise thousands, some road users were not happy at all. A 19-year-old Subesh KC, hanging onto the door of a bus, grumbled, “Leaders are celebrating their big event and we are the ones who have to suffer all the time.” 

Halal food hue and cry 

Nepali Congress leaders representing the Muslim community on Friday complained that they had been deprived of halal food during the convention. As per Muslim tradition, the community is prohibited from consuming other than halal meat. Criticising the party’s management committee for failing to provide halal, the Muslim representatives even warned they would boycott the food unless separate arrangements were made for them. At least 150 elected Muslim representatives from different parts of the country are attending the convention. When asked, Goma Parajuli Ansari, a candidate for the Central Member, said that the management committee has promised to provide halal food from Saturday morning. (PR)

Published in The Kathmandu Post -- September 18