CHITWAN: Amidst the sweltering heat, the delayed opening ceremony of the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s first National Convention concluded in two hours and 45 minutes.

The party had invited participants to arrive at 1pm and announced that the inauguration ceremony would begin at 2pm. However, the opening session started nearly one and a half hours later than scheduled. Participants who had arrived at the venue since morning were drenched in sweat due to the scorching sun. However, the rain that fell just as the program was about to start provided them with some relief.

The National Convention venue. Photos: Sabita Shrestha

After a long wait for the guests, the formal program commenced only after Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and Senior Leader and Prime Minister Balendra Shah arrived at the venue together.

Late-arriving top leaders, waiting guests

Most of the guests had already reached the stage before Lamichhane and Shah arrived. Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa reached the venue at 3pm. Before that, UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali, Janata Samajbadi Party leader Upendra Yadav, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Rajendra Lingden, and former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, among other guests, were already seated on the stage.

Leaders of various political parties attending the opening ceremony of the RSP’s First National Convention. Photo: Pradeep Raj Wanta/RSS

The inauguration session finally began after RSP Chairman Lamichhane and Senior Leader Shah arrived at the venue at 3:20pm. Tharu dances and cultural performances were also showcased during the program.

The Prime Minister’s longest speech yet

RSP Senior Leader and Prime Minister Balendra Shah addressed the opening session for 10 minutes. This is the longest public political address made by Prime Minister Shah, who usually speaks briefly. This was also his first public address since being elected Prime Minister.

Congress President Gagan Thapa spoke for 12 minutes as the leader of the opposition party. Chairman Lamichhane concluded the opening session with a 19-minute address. Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai spoke for 13 minutes.

Senior Leader of the party and Prime Minister Balendra Shah addressing the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Pradeep Raj Wanta/RSS

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali spoke for nine minutes each. CPN leader Barshaman Pun, RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden, and RSP Vice-Chairman and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle delivered speeches lasting eight minutes each. JSP leader Upendra Yadav spoke for five minutes, while Janamat Party Chairman CK Raut spoke for 14 minutes.

RSP District Chairman Mini Madhav Khanal and Bharatpur Metropolitan Committee Chairperson Sita Gyawali took 6 minutes each for their welcome remarks.

Grounds muddy from rain

The rain that fell just as the program was starting turned the Guest House grounds in Bharatpur into a muddy field. Water had accumulated on the floor of the venue, which was constructed using German-technology hangars.

A view of the RSP National Convention venue.

Rain from the previous night had already left water logged on the grounds. Gravel had been poured in the morning to make walking easier for the participants. However, just as Lamichhane and Shah were entering the venue, it started pouring heavily again. Both reached the venue at the same time, sharing an umbrella.

The muddy convention venue after the rain.

Crowds at the buttermilk stall

Buttermilk (Mahi) was distributed at the convention venue. Due to the heat, a massive crowd of participants gathered to drink buttermilk during the opening ceremony. There was an intense scramble among the participating party cadres to get a glass of buttermilk in the Chitwan heat.

The DDC (Dairy Development Corporation) stall set up to sell products was also crowded. DDC had placed a display board featuring a photo of RSP Senior Leader and Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

The crowd seen at the buttermilk stall.

The RSP has successfully conducted conventions in 64 districts so far. Conventions in six out of the seven provinces have been completed. Furthermore, the party stated that conventions have been concluded in 609 local units.

The RSP’s first National Convention will run until Tuesday.