Kathmandu, Oct. 5 -- Nepal's political parties used the opening of the Nepali Congress's 15th General Convention on Sunday to pledge cooperation on democracy, the constitution, national interests and climate change, even as opposition leaders sharply criticised the government.

The convention was held at Khula Manch, or Tundikhel, a venue long associated with Nepal's major political movements in Kathmandu. Leaders from various parties ended their addresses with the Congress greeting "Jay Nepal", while Rastriya Swatantra Party chairman Rabi Lamichhane opened his speech with the phrase, saying: "This is not a party slogan; it is for the country."

Congress President Gagan Thapa used the venue to argue that Nepal needed more open spaces for ...