NC leaders in marathon talks before Special Convention

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Jan. 11: The Nepali Congress is heading into a decisive moment as its second Special General Convention is all set to begin on Sunday amid open resistance from party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and other leaders from the establishment faction. The convention, called by General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bisho Prakash Sharma, is being organised based on signatures from a majority of elected general convention delegates.

As preparations for the Special General Convention moved ahead, senior Nepali Congress leaders held consultations in an effort to reach a consensus. Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba met President Ramchandra Paudel, during which they discussed contemporary political issues as well as internal disputes within the Congress. 

Separately, President Deuba, Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka, and leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala held discussions on issues related to the proposed special general convention and the two-tier leadership–cadre alignment. Joint General Secretary Jeevan Pariyar, leader Dr. Minendra Rijal and central member Bal Krishna Khand also participated in the discussions.

Following announcements by General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma, both supporters of the special general convention, that preparations had reached the final stage, senior leaders intensified dialogue to find a middle path. The Nepali Congress establishment has concluded that the Special General Convention would weaken the party and has emphasised the need to move forward in unity towards the elections scheduled for March 5. 

After a meeting of the Central Working Committee, party spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat said that since it had been decided to formally conclude the regular convention process and hold the 15th general convention in May 11 to 14, that decision should be accepted.

 “The party’s strength should be focused on the House of Representatives elections. Let us stop the special general convention and unite for the elections,” he said.

Leader Dr. Chandrakant Bhandari said the party would not split as a result of the special general convention. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, he said that although 54 per cent of general convention delegates had applied for a special general convention, the leadership ignored the demand, creating an awkward situation within the party.

Referring to the party’s history, he said there is an option to convert the special general convention into a policy or resolution-focused convention. “If a Special General Convention had been called after the Gen-Z movement, it could have become a basis for internal awakening and organisational strengthening. The special general convention should be taken to the level of policy debate to transform the party,” he said.

Five provincial presidents and vice presidents of the Nepali Congress, along with presidents and acting presidents from various districts, have urged support for the 15th general convention scheduled for May. Likewise,  presidents from 44 districts and acting presidents from three districts also called for proceeding with the regular general convention and elections through a joint statement.

The statement recalled that the regular convention process had moved forward after approval of the agenda to hold the 15th general convention from May 11 to 14, and noted that the legal authority to call a special convention rests only with the central level. 

Meanwhile, the Special Convention Organising committee has sent invitations to senior leaders, including President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka, to attend the event. 

According to Manoj Mani Acharya, coordinator of the convention management committee, an invitation was sent to President Deuba requesting him to deliver the chief guest’s address.

Meanwhile, the organising committee has claimed that more than 60 per cent of convention delegates will participate in the special general convention. Congress Central member Ajay Babu Shivakoti said that although more than 54 per cent of delegates had applied for a special convention, at least 60 per cent would be present at the inauguration ceremony.