Central office-bearers elected thru Special General Convention demand prompt update

Kathmandu, Jan 16: The newly-elected central office-bearers and central members by the recent Second Special General Convention (SGC) of the Nepali Congress have demanded the immediate update of the party’s central committee.

They asserted that the SGC was valid and, therefore, its decisions are also legitimate.     

The newly-elected committee, accompanied by legal practitioners, reached the Election Commission on Friday and submitted additional documents, seeking the official update of the Central Working Committee.     

Newly-elected Vice President Bishwaprakash Sharma said the SGC was organised because the schedule for the regular General Convention, as decided by the central committee, was not implemented. “The General Convention is the supreme body of the party, as defined by Clause 15 of the Nepali Congress statute, and decisions made by such a body are in accordance with the law,” he said.     

A total of 54.58 percent of the general convention representatives demanded the SGC on October 14 as per the party statute. He further added that Clause 3 (12) of the statute states that the central office means the General Secretary. Realising that non-implementation of the statute amounts to a violation of the law, they organised the SGC to enforce the statute’s provisions, he said.     

He also added that non-implementation of the statute is subject to punishment by a fine of Rs 5,000.     

Vice President Sharma argued before EC that only 29 persons who had signed for the SGC had retracted their signatures. It was only a rumour spread against the convention representatives who have returned home after the event.     

Another Vice President Pushpa Bhushal informed that the special general convention was called after a campaign signed by Acting Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka on October 14. The application seeking the SGC which also bore Khadka's signature had registration number 101 at the party office. She further argued total 2,488 general convention representatives had demanded SGC, among which, 2,652 were present to pass the policy and elect new leadership.     

Newly elected General Secretary Pradeep Paudel also insisted that general convention is the ultimate body to make new policy, rule and elect leadership, so the Thapa-led party is the legitimate Nepali Congress party.     

Together with them to argue in favour of Thapa-led party as legitimate Nepali Congress at Election Commission on Friday were General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire, and senior advocates Prem Bahadur Khadka, Sitaram KC, Gopal Krishna Ghimire and Dinesh Tripathi.     

They demanded urgent update of the NC central working committee as per SGC decisions and leadership.(RSS)