
The non-establishment faction of the Nepali Congress kicked off a three-day national gathering in Kathmandu on Friday. Former Prime Minister and outgoing party president Sher Bahadur Deuba is attending the event as the chief guest. The programme is taking place at Miracle Party Venue in Sukedhara and is being chaired by former party General Secretary and faction coordinator Shashank Koirala. Several senior leaders, including Purna Bahadur Khadka, Shekhar Koirala, Prakash Man Singh, Bimalendra Nidhi, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, Prakash Sharan Mahat, Mahalaxmi Upadhyaya and Ambika Basnet, are present at the gathering.

Khagraj Bhatta, a leader of the Nepali Communist Party, has been appointed Chief Minister of Sudurpashchim Province with the support of CPN (UML). Reacting to his appointment, Bhatta said the opportunity to lead the 2.7 million people of Sudurpashchim has brought a greater sense of responsibility and challenge than happiness.