NC crisis deepens as special convention push sparks leadership rift

KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress has entered a critical phase of internal political turmoil, driven by difficulties in enforcing party statutes and an escalating leadership confrontation.

With it now certain that the party’s 14th regular General Convention will not be held within the stipulated timeline, General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma have moved forward with preparations for a Special General Convention, citing the need to safeguard the party statute.

Their move has pushed internal tensions to a new high. As an alternative to the regular convention, the two leaders have booked a hall at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, to hold the Special General Convention on 27 and 28 Poush.

On Thursday, they orally informed Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka about the necessity of the convention.

They are preparing to submit written notice on Friday and formally announce the convention through a public statement on Saturday.

Earlier, a Central Working Committee meeting held on 15 Mangsir had scheduled ward conventions from 16 Poush, with the regular General Convention planned for 26–29 Poush.

owever, as the lower-level convention process failed to begin, the prospects of holding the regular convention have effectively collapsed. In this context, the General Secretaries argue that they have been compelled to pursue a Special Convention to uphold the party statute.

Statutory Obligation

On 28 Kartik, representatives constituting 54 percent of the General Convention delegates submitted a signed application to the party’s central office demanding a Special General Convention.

According to Article 17 (2) of the party statute, if 40 percent of members submit a written request, a Special General Convention must be convened within three months. Under this provision, the convention must be held by 28 Poush.

Citing Article 27 (1), which places the central office under the authority of the General Secretaries, Thapa and Sharma have taken the lead in the process. “If the country does not run according to the Constitution and a democratic party does not run according to its statute, where does society go?” Sharma questioned.

Skepticism from Establishment and Dissident Factions

The move has been met with suspicion from the establishment faction and leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala. They argue that a convention convened without an institutional decision could push the party toward division.

Koirala has clearly stated that he will not support any gathering called solely by the General Secretaries without a decision from the Central Working Committee. “A convention without institutional approval risks splitting the party, and I cannot stand with that,” he said.

Party spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat has labeled the move “foolish,” particularly with elections approaching. “This decision will weaken, not strengthen, the party. It is unfortunate that the very General Secretaries responsible for holding the regular convention are now pushing the party toward division in the name of a special one,” Mahat said.

Deuba’s Response and Friday Meeting

Following the acceleration of preparations for the Special Convention, President Deuba had called the General Secretaries for talks on Thursday but canceled the meeting at the last moment to consult with close aides instead.

Amid the unfolding crisis, a meeting of the party’s Executive Committee has been scheduled for Friday at 3 pm.

Leaders backing the Special Convention argue that it is merely another form of the regular convention and an opportunity to reset leadership while adopting policies aligned with changing times.

Leader Guru Raj Ghimire described it as a defining moment. “This is an opportunity to chart the course Nepali Congress must take after the Generation-G rebellion and to transform the party,” he said.

As the statutory 28 Poush deadline approaches, the escalating standoff between the establishment faction and the General Secretaries has further intensified turbulence within Nepali Congress politics.