KATHMANDU: The 14th General Convention of the Nepali Congress, which was postponed for the 4th time, is unlikely to be held on the scheduled date.

The general convention has been affected due to the dispute in active memberships on account of which the ward conventions have not been held still in 13 districts.

The NC had scheduled to hold the general convention on February 19-22, 2021 for the first time. The general convention was postponed for August 23-26 for the second time citing COVID-19 pandemic, disputes of active memberships among others.

The mega event could not be held on this date and was adjourned for September 1 to 4. A Central Working Committee meeting of the NC held on August 14 decided to hold the general convention on November 25 to 29 for the fourth time.

According to a leader close to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, an informal discussion is underway to postpone the date of the general convention yet again.

“The general convention is unlikely to be held on the scheduled date. The date will be deferred by 15-20 days,” said the leader, adding, “An internal discussion has begun in the party to this effect.”

Party Spokesperson Bishwa Prakash Sharma has said that the remaining time is not sufficient for holding the general convention on the scheduled date. “A CWC meeting to be held after Dashain will take an official decision on the postponement of the date,” Sharma said.

The ward conventions in 13 districts including Saptari, Siraha, Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Surkhet, Dolpa, Kailali, Rasuwa and Banke have not been held.

Even though the NC had decided to hold district conventions in 13 mountainous districts, the conventions were held only in 13 districts (Manang, Mustang, Okhaldhunga, Taplejung, Shankhuwasabha, Dolakha, Humla, Mugu, Kalikot, Bajhang, Bajura, Rukum East and Gorkha).

The NC, which had 500,000 active members in the 13th General Convention, decided to increase active members up to 800,000 in the 14th General Convention but this adjustment of active memberships has created disputes in the party.