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Senior Vice-chair of the CPN-UML, Ishwar Pokharel, has expressed disagreement over the nomination of representatives for the party’s 11th national congress.

According to Pokharel’s secretariat, the 108 national congress representatives nominated on Friday were based on a list proposed by party chair KP Sharma Oli, to which Pokharel has raised objections.

Rajesh Rai, who heads the publicity wing aligned with Pokharel, said the senior vice-chair had serious reservations about the nominations. Rai stated that during the Secretariat meeting held a day earlier, there was an understanding that the list of 108 representatives would be finalised jointly by Chair Oli and Senior Vice-Chair Pokharel. He added that discussions were scheduled for Friday morning in line with that agreement. However, Pokharel has said the list was published unilaterally, contrary to the earlier understanding.

Pokharel, who is also a contender for the party chair, had on Friday submitted a separate list of nominees from his group, Rai said, adding that it was agreed to seek consensus between the two lists.

“The list made public today is only the one tabled earlier by the party chair,” Rai said.

The inauguration ceremony of the 11th National Convention of the CPN-UML is set to begin shortly. The opening session is being held at Sallaghari in Bhaktapur, while the closed-door sessions will take place at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu.

Delegates and leaders from across the country have been arriving in Bhaktapur since early today. For the inauguration ceremony scheduled for midday at the open ground in Sallaghari, representatives of 16 political parties and six social organisations have been invited.

The convention venue at Sallaghari has begun filling up with participants. Strict security checks are being carried out before entry into the inauguration site.

A total of 2,262 delegates will take part in the 11th National Convention. As per the party statute, five percent of the delegates can be nominated, bringing in 108 nominated members. Including 309 central advisers, the total number of participants will reach 2,571.

The 11th National Convention of the CPN-UML is now getting underway, with a steady flow of delegates heading towards Sallaghari. Rallies comprising delegates from various sectors are marching towards the convention venue, while several participants have already arrived at the inauguration site. Party leaders are also reaching Sallaghari one after another.

Cultural programs are currently underway at the venue. Participants are being subjected to rigorous security screening before entering the inauguration area. A total of 20,000 chairs have been arranged at the open ground to accommodate those attending the ceremony.

The 11th National Congress of the CPN-UML is set to begin today, with party chairperson KP Sharma Oli scheduled to inaugurate the event this afternoon at the open ground in Sallahghari, Bhaktapur.

Party leaders and cadres arrived at the venue early in the morning. Security arrangements have been tightened, with police teams, including trained sniffer dogs, deployed at the inauguration site.

Parking arrangements have been made at Gaththaghar and Jagati for leaders and cadres attending the inaugural ceremony. According to the organizers, vehicles coming from the Kathmandu side will be parked at Gatthaghar, while those entering through the eastern route will be directed to Jagati. Parking facilities have been arranged at brick kilns, plotted lands, and other open spaces in the Jagati area.

Participants are expected to reach the Sallahghari venue in organized processions. The party has described the convention as a demonstration of the strength of a democratic political party. CPN-UML Politburo member Mahesh Basnet said efforts have been made to ensure that the processions proceed as much as possible through service lanes along the main roads.

CPN-UML Publicity and Publication Department chief Rajendra Gautam said all preparations for the convention have been completed and that around 300,000 participants from across the country are expected to attend the inaugural session. He added that more than 200 cultural tableaux reflecting Nepal’s unity and diversity will be displayed during the ceremony.

According to the party, a model of the Changunarayan Temple has been constructed on the stage, alongside an electronic lamp, which will be lit remotely by Chairperson Oli to inaugurate the convention. As this is the party’s 11th national convention, 11 party flags will be displayed, with 10 flags hoisted at the outset and one flag raised remotely. The closed session of the convention will be held at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu.

Four newly appointed ministers took oath of office and secrecy today.

President Ram Chandra  Paudel administered the oath to the newly-appointed ministers amidst a function at the Office of the President in Shital Niwas. 

President Paudel administered oath to Minister for Land Management, Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation Kumar Singh Ingnam, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Rajendra Singh Bhandari, Minister for Forests and Environment Madhav Chaulagain and  Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Shraddha Shrestha.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal, heads of the constitutional bodies and high-ranking government officials were present on the occasion. 

Earlier today, President Paudel appointed Ingnam, Bhandari, Chaulagain and Shrestha as the ministers on the recommendation of Prime Minister Sushila Karki.

With the expansion,, the number of Cabinet members in the current government has reached 14.

The Cabinet was expanded thrice earlier—on September 15, September 22 and October 26.