Special General Convention stirs storm in NC

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 9: Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has formally invited party President Sher Bahadur Deuba to attend the proposed Special General Convention, highlighting sharp internal divisions within the country’s largest democratic party over the legitimacy, timing, and necessity of the gathering.

Thapa conveyed the invitation through Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka at a meeting of the Central Work Performance Committee held at the party office in Sanepa, Laitpur, on Thursday. He urged Deuba to attend the Special General Convention scheduled for January 11 and 12 at Bhrikuti Mandap, arguing that the party's president’s presence would enhance his stature and uphold the dignity of the party statute.

Talking to the press, Thapa categorically rejected demands from establishment leaders to withdraw signatures supporting the Special General Convention. He said that 54 per cent of elected general convention delegates had already endorsed the call and that neither the signatures nor the demand would be withdrawn. 

Acting President Khadka, however, reiterated that there was no need for a Special General Convention as the process for the party’s regular 15th General Convention had already begun, warning that such a move could lead to division in the party.

Thapa accused the acting president of misinterpreting the party statute, stating that it clearly mandates a special general convention if at least 40 per cent of delegates demand it. He argued that the statute does not prohibit holding a Special General Convention simply because a regular convention has been announced, nor does it specify who should convene it, as such resistance from the central leadership was never envisaged.

According to Thapa, the demand arose from the party’s “sensitive situation”, citing youth-led protests in September last year as evidence of growing dissatisfaction with leadership performance and policy direction. He stressed the need for serious introspection, policy correction and possible leadership reform. 

Although the party leadership is using every measure to foil the Special General Convention called by majority of the general convention representatives, going against established democratic practices, more leaders have shown solidarity with the Special General Convention. Over 30 district committees including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Kaski and Kavre have officially issued notices urging the general convention representatives to attend the Special General Convention. 

 With the backing of more representatives, the establishment faction appears rattled and has reportedly announced programmes to counter the Special General Convention.  Those who did not sign the demand for General Special Convention in September last year have announced their participation in the convention.  

  Delegates have already begun arriving in Kathmandu, signalling that the event is likely to proceed despite opposition from the party establishment.

Meanwhile, a Central Work Performance Committee meeting chaired by Acting President Khadka on Thursday issued a press release declaring the proposed special general convention illegal and illegitimate. 

 The committee argued that since the agenda and schedule of the regular 15th General Convention, set for May 11 to 13, had already been approved and initiated, there was no statutory basis for a Special General Convention.

 It warned that holding such a gathering in the current political climate could damage party unity and weaken the Nepali Congress ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives elections on March 5. The committee appealed to party leaders and members at all levels to halt preparations for the special general convention, repeating the same old argument of the leaders from the establishment factions, that, under the party statute, only the Central Committee has the authority to convene any convention.