NC decides to hold 15th convention on Jan 10-12

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 2: The Nepali Congress (NC) has finally confirmed that its 15th General Convention will be held from January 10 to 12, 2026, following a unanimous decision by its Central Working Committee (CWC) in Sanepa on Monday. 

Party Spokesperson, Prakash Sharan Mahat, informed that the convention will take place in Kathmandu.

The announcement, which follows a prolonged period of uncertainty, has come after considerable deliberation within the party over the timing and structure of the convention.

The CWC meeting also extended the term of the current working committee, led by President Sher Bahadur Deuba, until the end of February 2026. This decision follows discussions regarding the convention's timeline, as it was initially scheduled to take place before the March 5, 2026, national elections. Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka, who chaired the meeting, outlined the full schedule for the upcoming convention, which includes a series of preliminary events. 

The ward convention will kick off on December 31, followed by the village-town convention on January 1 and the regional provincial assembly convention on January 3. District conventions are slated for January 5 and 6, with provincial convention taking place on January 6 and 7.

However, the decision to hold the convention in January is not without controversy. Prior to the CWC meeting, a faction of establishment-oriented leaders within the party had voiced their opposition to holding the general convention before the national elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. 

These leaders, including Bimalendra Nidhi and Krishna Prasad Sitaula, argued that the party's focus should remain on preparing for the election, with the general convention to be held after the polls. 

President Deuba, in an effort to resolve the growing rift, had met with those leaders at his residence in Maharajgunj to discuss the matter, stressing the need for unity and a timely decision. Ultimately, the meeting resulted in a consensus that the convention would proceed as planned in December.

In addition to the debates over the timing of the general convention, there have also been calls for reforms within the party. Nepali Congress spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat addressed concerns over the proposed special convention, which had gained support from over 54 percent of the party delegates. 

"Once the process for the regular general convention has begun, the call for a special convention becomes irrelevant. The main objective now is to hold the convention on time. This will allow us to address internal issues and ensure proper representation for the upcoming elections," said Mahat.

Similarly, the extension of the term of the current working committee, which had been set to expire by mid-December. According to the party's statutes, the term of the working committee can be extended by a year in special circumstances. With the decision to hold the general convention within January, the extension will last until the end of January. This extension aims to allow the current leadership to carry out necessary preparations for the convention, while maintaining stability within the party.

Despite these decisions, Nepali Congress has faced criticism for its inability to reach an agreement on the convention's timing in a timely manner. The party had been embroiled in internal debates for over a month, with differing opinions on whether to hold the general convention before or after the elections, as well as whether the convention should be regular or special. These disputes had delayed the decision, causing frustration among members who wanted to see a clear resolution.

With the convention now scheduled for January, the focus will shift to the preparations and the selection of candidates for leadership positions. The upcoming convention will not only determine the leadership of the party but will also serve as a critical moment for internal reforms, as calls for a generational shift in leadership and new political ideas continue to grow. 

Acting President Khadka and President Deuba have both expressed their commitment to finding a way forward that can unite the party, but challenges remain as the NC seeks to navigate the complex political landscape in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.

Meanwhile, NC has formally decided to allow President Sher Bahadur Deuba to remain active during the 15th General Convention. This decision, made during the meeting, permits Deuba, currently acting as a member, to resume full activity within the party. 

The NC also decided that the president or acting president could depute a central representative as needed throughout the convention process. 

Additionally, the party will present a list of new and renewed active members to the Central Working Committee for approval. Both Deuba and Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka will offer guidance in forming the necessary committees for the event.