NC, UML chiefs skip opening function of UCPN (M) general convention

Top leaders of the two main opposition parties - Nepali Congress and UML - did not show up at the inaugural ceremony of the UCPN (Maoist) general convention in Hetauda on Saturday despite getting invitation.

The UCPN (M) had invited both NC president Sushil Koirala and UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, but they chose not to attend it given the opposition's ongoing anti-government protest movement.

NC vice president Ram Chandra Poudel and UML vice chairman Bam Dev Gautam represented their parties respectively. However, some minor opposition parties including Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Rastriya Janashakti Party were represented by their chiefs in the opening function.

UCPN (M) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had attended UML 8th general convention held in Butwal in 2009. Dahal's speech at the UML general convention had received more applause from the UML representation than their own top leaders. Nepalnews.com