KATHMANDU: As the term of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba nears completion, the political landscape within the party is witnessing intense maneuvering.
If Deuba does not use his authority under the party statute to extend the term by one year, the 15th general convention will have to be held within the coming December.
This would mean that in the next ten months, the party could have a new leadership. However, given the party’s history, holding a general convention on time and electing a new leadership has been a rare occurrence.
Nepali Congress, a party with a 75-year political legacy, played a crucial role in overthrowing the Panchayat regime and restoring democracy in Nepal.
Yet, since then, it has struggled to organize timely general conventions. The upcoming 15th general convention is expected to be no different, with delays and internal conflicts looming large.
Deuba, who secured his second term as party president in the 14th general convention, has already started working to influence the selection of the next leadership.
The rivalry between Shekhar Koirala and Gagan Thapa is another key factor shaping the leadership battle. In the 14th general convention, Koirala and Thapa were part of the same faction. However, tensions between them have been growing as the 15th general convention approaches.
The last convention was held on December 10, 2021, at Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu. Now, with just ten months left in his four-year term, various factions within the party are strategizing for control.
Internal divide
The upcoming general convention has already sparked discussions among both the establishment faction and the rival faction within the party.
In the opposition camp, Dr Shekhar Koirala, who previously ran for the presidency, has already publicly announced his candidacy. Another contender, General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa, has yet to make an official announcement, but his actions and statements from his supporters confirm that he has entered the race.
As Koirala and Thapa strengthen their preparations for the 15th general convention, Deuba’s establishment faction is also looking for a strong candidate. The search for a successor is actively being pursued among leaders who have been politically aligned with Deuba.
On February 14, a group of eleven influential leaders, led by former General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula, visited Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha.
The delegation included former Vice President Bimalendra Nidhi, who had contested for the presidency in the 14th general convention, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh, Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, former Vice President Gopal Man Shrestha, former General Secretary Dr Shashank Koirala, Joint General Secretary Umakanta Chaudhary, Spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, and central members Bal Krishna Khand and NP Saud.
During the meeting, Sitaula conveyed their commitment to supporting Deuba and remaining united within the establishment faction.
He also urged Deuba to finalize a potential presidential candidate from their group, given that discussions about leadership among rival factions had already begun.
In response, Deuba made a significant statement—he confirmed that he would not be running for the party presidency in the 15th general convention.
Instead, he assured the leaders that he would nominate a candidate from within his faction. However, Deuba also cautioned the leaders against shifting their alliances prematurely.
Despite Deuba’s assurance that he will nominate a successor, he has not yet revealed a name. Many believe that his decision will depend on securing a political future for his wife, Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba.
Within party circles, speculation is growing about whether Deuba will push for a loyalist or pick a candidate with broader acceptability.
Delayed general convention
According to the Nepali Congress statute, a general convention must be held every four years. However, the statute also grants the party president the power to extend the term by one year in extraordinary circumstances.
Article 43 of the party statute states that the term of office of the office bearers and members of all levels and bodies of the party shall be four years, but in case of extraordinary circumstances, the Central Working Committee may extend the term by a maximum of one year, explaining the reasons for it.
Additionally, Article 17 allows for the possibility of calling a special general convention if deemed necessary by the Central Working Committee or if 40 percent of convention members demand it in writing. However, rival factions do not currently have the numbers required to push for such a move.
Leaders from Deuba’s faction have hinted that they will extend the general convention timeline, citing the need for more preparation.
Party spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat recently stated at a press conference in Chitwan that the general convention in 2025 was not feasible due to insufficient preparations.
Mahat said that the party’s 15th general convention may be postponed for some time as preparations have not reached any stage yet, so an extension is necessary. Given these statements, it is likely that Deuba will use his authority to extend the term by another year.
Furthermore, if necessary, he could also use Clause 4(b) of Article 269 of the Constitution of Nepal to extend it by another six months.
The battle for the leadership of the Nepali Congress will define the party’s future direction. With factions preparing for a showdown, the next few months will be crucial in determining the course of Nepal’s oldest democratic party.
However, leaders close to Deuba argue that such a move may not be required. Min Bishwakarma, head of the Nepali Congress Publicity Department, dismissed concerns about constitutional delays, stating that since all general conventions of the Nepali Congress have historically been held every five years, this convention will also follow the same pattern.
The rivalry between Shekhar Koirala and Gagan Thapa is another key factor shaping the leadership battle. In the 14th general convention, Koirala and Thapa were part of the same faction. However, tensions between them have been growing as the 15th general convention approaches.
Recently, Koirala and Thapa have not been seen together in public, raising speculation that their faction is divided. On December 3, 2024, when rival factions held a provincial gathering in Biratnagar, General Secretary Gagan Thapa was absent.
Similarly, Shekhar Koirala boycotted the Koshi Province conference, citing dissatisfaction with party rankings.
Despite the growing divide, Thapa attempted to downplay the differences during a speech in Pokhara on February 5. He stated that Dr Shekhar Koirala is still a leader today and will remain a leader tomorrow.
He also mentioned that he had competed under Koirala’s leadership in the 14th general convention and still considered him his leader. However, he also suggested that maintaining unity within their faction would depend on personal decisions.
With less than a year left for the general convention, the internal politics of the Nepali Congress is intensifying.
The primary questions now are whether Deuba will extend the term by another year, who he will nominate as his successor, whether Shekhar Koirala and Gagan Thapa will remain united or split, and whether the general convention will happen on time or face further delays.
The battle for the leadership of the Nepali Congress will define the party’s future direction. With factions preparing for a showdown, the next few months will be crucial in determining the course of Nepal’s oldest democratic party.
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