Congress Special General Convention Begins Amid Internal Rift

Kathmandu- The Nepali Congress’ special general convention formally began on Sunday at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, amid deepening internal divisions within the party. The event was inaugurated by General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma, who lit a traditional lamp to mark the opening.

From early morning, party cadres organized rallies in support of the convention from multiple locations, including Kupandole in Lalitpur, as well as Sundhara, Ratna Park, Padmakanya Campus Chowk, Shankardev Campus, and Kamalpokhari in Kathmandu, before converging at the convention venue. Hundreds of elected delegates from across the country have arrived in the capital to participate.

The convention was inaugurated by the general secretaries after party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka declined to attend, despite efforts by the organizers to secure their participation.

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The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, is being held against the backdrop of an escalating intra-party dispute. The Deuba-led establishment faction has opposed the convention, arguing that it could weaken party unity and potentially lead to a split. The establishment has instead insisted on focusing on the regular general convention scheduled for May.

Congress spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat, considered close to Deuba, stated that the party should prioritize preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections expected in March, rather than holding a special convention at this time.

However, Thapa and Sharma have defended the legitimacy of the convention, claiming it was demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, accounting for more than 54 percent of the party’s total elected general convention members. Leaders supporting the event argue that over 60 percent of elected delegates are participating in the gathering.

According to the Nepali Congress statute, the party leadership is obligated to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of elected general convention representatives formally demand it. A petition bearing the signatures of around 53 percent of representatives was submitted to the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special convention and the election of new leadership.

Organizers have emphasized that the convention is intended to propose policy and organizational reforms while preserving party unity, though uncertainty remains over whether the gathering will ultimately result in leadership changes.