Kathmandu — The Nepali Congress has entered a decisive and volatile phase as its Special General Convention advances amid deep internal divisions, pushing the country’s oldest democratic party to the brink of a formal split.
The Special Convention was convened by a majority of general convention delegates after the party establishment failed to commit to a reform agenda aimed at comprehensive structural transformation. As negotiations between rival factions collapsed, the convention accelerated its proceedings, setting the stage for a direct confrontation between the reformist bloc and the party establishment.
Reform Proposals Endorsed, Convention Declares Political Defiance
On Tuesday evening, key reform proposals presented by General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwoprakash Sharma, including wide-ranging organizational restructuring measures, were formally endorsed by the Special Convention.
Following the endorsement, Thapa declared that the convention had entered an open phase of political defiance.
“We are part of a rebellion, and that message will go forward clearly,” Thapa said, emphasizing that all future decisions would now be taken strictly from the convention floor, not through parallel negotiations outside the hall. His remarks signaled that ongoing consensus-building efforts beyond the convention framework had become increasingly ineffective.
Gagan Thapa Proposed as Future Party Leader and Prime Minister
In a major political development, General Secretary Bishwoprakash Sharma formally proposed Gagan Thapa as the future leader of the Nepali Congress and a future Prime Minister of Nepal, arguing that Thapa’s leadership would inject new political energy, credibility, and public confidence into the party.
Thapa accepted the proposal, stating that any leadership decision must be finalized democratically through the convention process, reaffirming his commitment to institutional legitimacy.
Leadership Election Process Officially Underway
Even as the Special Convention continues in closed-door sessions, the formal leadership election process has already begun. From Tuesday afternoon, aspirants for top leadership positions started collecting nomination forms, indicating that an internal election is imminent.
Addressing delegates, Thapa urged leadership contenders to demonstrate restraint and political maturity under the extraordinary circumstances.
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“This is a short-term leadership arrangement born out of a movement and a rebellion,” Thapa said. “If everyone insists on positions, the purpose of this struggle will be undermined. After this phase, we will move toward a regular general convention.”
Negotiations With Establishment Fail to Break Deadlock
Efforts to reach a compromise with the establishment faction have continued since Monday but have produced no concrete outcome. Throughout Tuesday, talks were held among the establishment camp, Shekhar Koirala’s group, and representatives of the Special Convention.
The reformist bloc demanded:
- Formal endorsement of the reform agenda
- Resignation of Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba
- Official party ownership of the Special Convention
The establishment faction rejected these demands, continuing to label the Special Convention unconstitutional.
A Central Working Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday afternoon was postponed as establishment leaders adopted a wait-and-watch strategy. A brief meeting was later held in the evening and deferred to Wednesday morning.
Pressure Mounts Inside Convention Hall
Although dialogue has not been formally abandoned, representatives of the Special Convention—Gururaj Ghimire, Pradeep Paudel, and Devraj Chalise—remain engaged in talks. However, as negotiations appeared aimed more at delaying the convention than resolving disputes, the reformist side continued its internal process uninterrupted.
On Tuesday, delegates and supporters chanted slogans inside the convention venue, warning against stalling tactics under the pretext of dialogue. The pressure has pushed the convention to a point where a leadership decision has become unavoidable.
With policy resolutions already finalized, the leadership question is expected to be decided on Wednesday.
Key Disputes Still Unresolved
Despite limited convergence during tripartite talks—particularly on party ownership of the Special Convention—several major disputes remain unresolved, including:
- Whether President Deuba should step aside from active leadership
- Whether Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka has authority to sign documents related to the upcoming House of Representatives election
- Formation of an election-focused committee under the acting president
The reformist bloc has proposed that, if consensus is reached, Acting President Khadka should personally appear at the convention venue and announce the agreement from the floor.
Establishment negotiators Bal Krishna Khand and Ramesh Lekhak stated they could not commit without consulting Deuba and Khadka. Both leaders later visited Deuba’s residence in Maharajgunj for further discussions.
Deuba Calls for Reconciliation, Warns Against Party Split
Meanwhile, Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba reiterated his preference for reconciliation. Speaking through party spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat after a Central Committee meeting, Deuba said there was still room for compromise.
“If understanding can be reached by tonight, why move toward harsh decisions?” Deuba was quoted as saying. “Party leadership must come through a regular general convention. This is known to everyone. We must not walk the path of confrontation.”
Mahat added that discussions would continue until Wednesday and expressed hope for a positive outcome, warning that a split would damage both the party and the country’s democratic stability.
A Defining Moment for the Nepali Congress
As the Special Convention moves toward a decisive vote, the Nepali Congress faces one of the most consequential moments in its history. Whether a last-minute compromise emerges or the party formally fractures will depend on developments in the coming hours.
The outcome is expected to redefine the party’s leadership, internal power structure, and future role in Nepal’s national politics.
