NC special convention extends, talks continue to avoid split

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 13: The Nepali Congress Special General Convention Information Division has claimed that more than 60 per cent of its delegates have registered their names for the ongoing Special General Convention. The Information Division confirmed on Monday that the second Special General Convention, currently underway in Kathmandu, has been extended until Tuesday as discussions remain inconclusive. The announcement follows the completion of the inaugural session on Sunday and the closed session on Monday.

Special General Convention Publicity Coordinator Jeevan Bhandari said that signatures from more than 60 per cent of delegates had already been verified, with the process still ongoing. 

“The convention hall will decide on the policy-related report presented by the general secretary before moving ahead with elections. The venue has been booked for Tuesday and the existing election committee will be dissolved to allow a new committee to oversee the process,” said Bhandari.

The Special General Convention, which began on Sunday, is being held at Bhrikutimandap. According to Bhandari, the event was extended because intensive discussions are continuing on political and organisational reports submitted by General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday evening, leader Subash Pokharel informed that a simple majority of 51 per cent is sufficient to take any decision from the Special General Convention, dismissing claims that a two-thirds majority is required. He clarified that no motion of no confidence has been filed against the party president.

He added that the election process would proceed regardless of whether the current leadership attends the convention, warning that non-participation could be seen as an insult to delegates.

“The discussion on the reports is ongoing and will continue on Tuesday. Only after this process is completed will the leadership selection process move forward,” said Bhandari. Delegates have endorsed procedures to move forward with leadership selection until the party’s 15th  general convention.

As debates continue inside the hall, parallel political negotiations are taking place outside. Senior leader Shekhar Koirala has urged President Deuba to take immediate steps to prevent a split within the party. 

A delegation led by Koirala met Deuba at latter's Maharajgunj residence on Monday, briefing him on talks held with leaders supporting the Special General Convention.

General Secretaries Thapa and Sharma, who had called the Special General Convention after receiving support from 54 per cent of delegates, have put forward wide-ranging reform proposals. 

 See Page 6

Sharma has proposed limiting any individual to a maximum of two terms as Prime Minister, abolishing nepotistic practices such as spouses holding public office simultaneously at the same level, and gradually introducing primary elections for candidate selection. His report also calls for merit-based political appointments, strengthened governance and guaranteed youth representation at all party levels.

Similarly, Thapa’s political proposal focuses on democratic reforms, including the legal guarantee of a right to no vote, voting rights for Nepalis living abroad, transparent state funding of elections based on vote weight, and an end to corruption and poor governance. He has also backed the two-term limit for the Prime Minister and advocated major improvements in the electoral and administrative systems.

On Monday afternoon, Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka issued a statement appealing to party members not to take actions that could harm unity. Highlighting the country’s challenging political and economic situation, he urged Nepali Congress leaders and cadres to act responsibly and prepare collectively for the upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, party president Sher Bahadur Deuba is preparing to call a meeting with the two general secretaries to forge a consensus.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress has called its Central Working Committee meeting for Tuesday at 11 am. Hours after the Special General Convention proposed to dissolve the present central committee in its closed session, Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel of the party office informed about the meeting through a notice on Monday evening.