The third-largest party in the Constituent Assembly (CA) said at least 200,000 people will attend the party´s inaugural gathering, where top UML leaders including Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Sharma Oli will address the masses.[break]
"Due to various conspiracies such as poll riggings and other factors, our party was downsized to third place in the last election, but its hold on people at the grassroots is as strong as that of the first party," Khanal, flanked by Nepal and Oli, said at a press conference, Saturday. "Tomorrow´s [Sunday] demonstrations will further prove this."
He claimed that the party´s mass demonstration would rejuvenate the UML rank and file as well as press the top political leadership to expedite the twin tasks of constitution writing and peace process.
The party said the mass demonstration will also wrap up the a three-month national campaign for strengthening intra-party unity.
UML leaders said party cadres have already started entering the Valley from various parts of the country and hundreds more will arrive Sunday.
According to UML leader Rajendra Shrestha, party cadres will converge from 16 points including Koteshwar, Pulchowk, Balkhu, Kalanki, Swoyambhu, Balaju, Gongabu, Gausala, New Baneshwar, Bhatbhateni, Basantapur, Bhrikutimandap, Kamladi, Balmiki Campus, Bagbazar and Bhadrakali at around 11 a.m.
They will converged in a mass gathering at Ratna Park. "Public vehicles will not be allowed to enter inside the Ring Road from 11 am to 1 pm," Shrestha said, adding, they are coordinating with traffic police and other security officials.
Valley traffic police chief DIG Ganesh Rai said they have already planned various alternative routes for Sunday, and may divert vehicles from various points depending on the situation at the time. "First we will divert heavy vehicles such as trucks and busses. We may stop other vehicles as well depending on the situation," Rai told Republica.
Party Chairman Khanal said he has talked to the prime minister about the security arrangements.
UML leaders said demonstrators will be bussed in from all over the country.
"In Kaski party representatives plan to bring a busload from each grassroots chapter. At least 44 busses will bring cadres from Makwanpur alone," the party said. At least 5,000 cadres from Rupandehi and 1,000 from Baglung have already left for Kathmandu, it said.
The convention of UML national council representatives is considered the second most-powerful body after the party general convention. It is mandated to set party policy and take action against the party leadership if needed.
The gathering is taking place at a time when the UML has managed to patch up a deepening intra-party feud. Earlier, there was bitter rivalry between the party establishment led by Chairman Khanal and the faction led by former prime Minister Nepal and Oli.
Lately, they settled their differences after elevating Oli to third position in the party hierarchy.
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