Kathmandu, October 13

The main opposition party Nepali Congress hosted annual tea reception at its central office in Sanepa, Lalitpur, today. NC has been holding annual tea party since 1977 on the last day of Dashain festival, a tradition started by one of the party’s founding leaders, BP Koirala.

Continuing with the long standing tradition, NC held the tea reception to exchange greetings as other major festivals like Tihar, Chhath, Newari New Year and Uvauli and Udhauli festival are on their way.

The NC said while the tea party was organised nationwide, the party at its central office was for NC leaders and cadres representing Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts.

Thousands of people were seen visiting the tea party which was held from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. All senior NC leaders, including NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ram Chandra Poudel  were present at the party.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Nepal Communist Party’s Co-chair and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, other former prime ministers like Madhav Kumar Nepal, Baburam Bhattarai and Jhalanath Khanal also participated at the programme and extended greetings among each other.

Cabinet ministers, head of constitutional bodies, civil servants, high level officers of security agencies, business persons and civil society leaders were also present at the programme.

PM Oli addressing the tea reception said he had good relationship with the NC’s leader like Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ram Chandra Poudel for the last 45 years.

Speaking at the event, PM Oli said he along with NC leaders shared common beliefs when it came to protecting democracy.

“We share the fundamental norms and values of democracy and will fight to save it whenever rquired,”he said. Former PMs Dahal, Nepal, Bhattarai and Khanal  also extended their greetings at the programme.

NC president and also former PM Deuba, addressing the visitors said such programs facilitated in easing tension among co-workers and also helped to renew friendship, motivating all to move ahead on the path of nation building with renewed vigour.