Kathmandu, November 2

The Nepali Congress today hosted a tea reception at its headquarters in Sanepa, Lalitpur, on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami, Deepawali, Nepal Sambat and Chhath.

The main opposition has been hosting tea reception on Kojagrat Purnima, the final day of Dashain, every year since 2035 BS after its founder late BP Koirala returned from India with the policy of national unity and reconciliation. However, the annual event was postponed this year due to the demise of its leader and former minister Chakra Prasad Bastola. Top political party leaders, ministers, members of constitutional bodies, chiefs of security agencies, intellectuals, members of the diplomatic and international community, and lawmakers, among others, attended the tea reception held from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

NC Spokesperson Bishwa Prasash Sharma said more than 16,500 individuals attended today’s event. Some of the notable attendees included Nepal Communist Party Co-chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, leaders Jhala Nath Khanal, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Bam Dev Gautam, Bishnu Paudel, Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri. Other attendees included Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal leaders Mahanta Thakur, Anil Jha and Sharad Singh Bhandari.

NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba, senior leader Ramchandra Paudel, Vice-president Bimalendra Nidhi, General Secretary Shashank Koirala and Treasurer Sita Devi Yadav, among other leaders, welcomed the guests.

Speaking on the occasion, Deuba claimed the country was moving ahead as per BP Koirala’s policy of national unity and reconciliation. “The country still needs reconciliation,” he said.

Dahal said the political changes in the country were yet to be institutionalised, and highlighted the need for unity and reconciliation. “I would like to appeal to all to work together for national unity and prosperity,” he said.

Senior leader Paudel said the government had to be able to cash in on the favourable environment it had. “If we cannot achieve development when there is a stable government, it will be disastrous,” he said. “I hope the Nepal Communist Party (NCP)-led government is capable of utilising the favourable climate.”

Stating that he saw the NC active after a very long time, former prime minister Khanal said he was happy to see the NC active a time when the main opposition was being labelled ineffective.

Similarly, NCP (NCP) Spokesperson Shrestha said events like tea reception were good culture at it gave the opportunity to meet representatives from various political parties. “These events help develop harmony between leaders and parties,” he said. The NC also held similar tea reception in all the districts across the country today.