Rift widens in NC over general convention date

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Nov 1: Tensions within the Nepali Congress (NC) have escalated further after the two factions failed to reach a consensus regarding the date of the party’s 15th General Convention. While the establishment faction led by President Sher Bahadur Deuba wants to hold the general convention only after the upcoming elections scheduled for March 5, 2026, the rival faction led by Dr. Shekhar Koirala and general secretary duo Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma insist that the convention should be held by December this year. 

The dispute resulted in yet another postponement of the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Friday. 

On Friday morning, Dr. Koirala convened a meeting of his faction at his liaison office in Bishalnagar, where senior leaders including Vice President Dhanraj Gurung, general secretaries Thapa and Sharma, and Joint General Secretaries Jiwan Pariyar and Badri Pandey were present. The gathering concluded that the regular General Convention must be held before the elections, with the date proposed for December 31. The group also tasked the two general secretaries with drafting a work schedule and presenting it at the next meeting.

“Today’s meeting at Dr. Koirala’s residence focused on holding the general convention by mid to late December. There is also pressure to call a special convention, while some factions prefer holding it only after the March 5 election. However, consensus among all groups within the party is essential to prepare for the election and to make the Nepali Congress stronger and more united. I expect a resolution to emerge from our Central Committee meeting and to hold general convention timely,” said Jiwan Pariyar.

In contrast, the Deuba-led establishment remains firm that the convention should take place only after the elections. The faction, which met earlier this week at a Dhobighat hotel, argued that holding a convention beforehand would disrupt electoral preparations. 

Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka and senior leaders such as Bimalendra Nidhi echoed the view that prioritising the elections is vital for party stability and national responsibility. However, by opposing the popular sentiment in the party, these senior leaders seem to have totally ignored the message of the Gen-Z movement which overthrew the powerful government of NC and the CPN-UML. 

They intend to remain in leadership till elections by postponing the general convention. Reform in the political parties was one of the agenda of the Gen-Z movement. Those who are demanding the timely convention are saying that the party cannot go to the people with the same old face in 

party leadership.  

As a result, dissenting voices within the party have become louder in recent days. Over 2,400 delegates, representing around 54 per cent of those from the 14th General Convention, have already signed a petition demanding a special general convention if the regular one cannot be held in time. According to the NC statute, such a convention must be called within three months of submission, the deadline expires on January 12.

General Secretaries Thapa and Sharma have publicly insisted that if the establishment refuses to announce a date, they will proceed with the special convention. Thapa stressed that no one has the right to say a special general convention cannot be held, asserting that delegates have exercised their constitutional authority.

Despite repeated attempts for negotiation, the CWC meeting scheduled for Friday afternoon in Sanepa was postponed to Sunday after Acting President Khadka failed to broker consensus. He maintained that he supports the general convention in principle but requested additional time for discussions.

“The Central Committee meeting is expected to announce a timely date for the 15th General Convention. Any decision short of that will pave the way for a special convention, as 54 per cent of delegates have already signed the petition,” said Guru Ghimire, a youth leader from the dissenting faction.

As both factions stick to their stanch, the risk of a party split looms large. Senior figures including Krishna Prasad Sitaula have warned that forcing a special general convention could push the NC towards division. Meanwhile, the Koirala-led group continues to prepare for its own gatherings at provincial level to exert pressure on the leadership.

“The talk of a party split comes from those with a mind-set of division. The key point is that the party must move forward by becoming more united and stronger. This is the main demand of those who are calling for a timely convention,” added Ghimire.

With President Deuba abroad for medical treatment and no agreement in sight, and the stance of General Secretaries to hold timely general convention or special convention, Nepali congress is truly now at crossroads.