KATHMANDU: The ruling Nepali Congress (NC) has instructed its sister organizations to hold central general conventions by mid-April and elect new leadership.
This directive comes after the party announced that the terms of organizations failing to hold conventions would not be extended.
On February 13, the NC summoned coordinators of the central steering committees and presidents of its sister organizations to the party’s central office, emphasizing the need to hold the conventions by mid-April.
To date, only two out of the 13 organizations—Nepal Muslim Association and Nepal Democratic Indigenous Nationalities Federation—have held general conventions and elected new leadership.
The Muslim Association held its convention in September 2023, electing Atabul Mansuri as president, while Om Bahadur Gharti Magar was re-elected unopposed for a second term as president of the Indigenous Nationalities Federation.
Nepal Democratic Indigenous Nationalities Federation: The NC has renamed its sister organization, the Indigenous Nationalities Federation, to the Nepal Democratic Indigenous Nationalities Federation.
The Nepal Democracy Fighters Association is set to be the third organization to hold a general convention.
It is taking place in Kathmandu from Wednesday (February 19) and will continue until February 22, where new leadership will be elected.
Meanwhile, the Nepal Peasants’ Federation has been organizing district-level conferences for the upcoming central general convention.
Federation spokesperson Ramesh Bahadur Rawal confirmed that district conventions were underway, with the central convention set to be held within mid-April.
However, other key sister organizations, including the Nepal Students’ Union (NSU), Tarun Dal, and Nepal Mahila Sangh, have not held conventions since 2073 BS.
NSU, which has operated with an ad hoc committee since 2076 BS, currently has a 752-member central ad hoc committee.
Similarly, Tarun Dal, which has not held a regular convention since 2073 BS, is operating with a 401-member ad hoc committee.
The Nepal Democratic Fighters’ Association, which last held a general convention in 2064 BS, has also been without regular leadership.
As pressure mounts from the central party leadership, the organizations are expected to complete their general conventions by mid-April as instructed.
Nepal Dalit Association: Lok Bahadur Bishwakarma has been appointed to lead the ad hoc central committee of the Nepal Dalit Association. This organization has not held a general convention since 2069 BS.
After the Nepali Congress failed to hold the convention within the prescribed time frame, the central committee was dissolved, and an ad hoc committee was formed under Anirudra Prasad Thakur’s leadership.
Nepal Ex-Servicemen Association: The Association has also not conducted a general convention since 2073 BS. Meghraj Tandon has been nominated as the chair of its ad hoc committee.
Nepal Democratic Indigenous Nationalities Federation: The NC has renamed its sister organization, the Indigenous Nationalities Federation, to the Nepal Democratic Indigenous Nationalities Federation.
The federation held its general convention in Kathmandu, electing Om Bahadur Gharti Magar as president unopposed.
Gharti Magar had previously served as president of the Indigenous Nationalities Federation, which had not held a general convention since 2064 BS. The federation now has a 107-member working committee.
National Democratic Disabled Association: Formed in 2066 BS, this association has yet to hold a convention. The NC recently formed an ad hoc committee under the leadership of Prakash Pantha.
Nepal Muslim Association: The Nepal Muslim Association, one of the few fraternal organizations to hold a general convention, elected Atabul Mansuri as president unopposed during its general convention.
The convention, held at the National Assembly in Kathmandu, also elected an 87-member working committee under Mansuri’s leadership.
Prior to this, President Abdul Sattar had automatically resigned after being elected as a central member of the Nepali Congress during the 14th general convention.
Nepal Thakur Society: The general convention of the Nepal Thakur Society was held in 2079 BS.
After the Nepali Congress failed to hold the convention within the prescribed time frame, the central committee was dissolved, and an ad hoc committee was formed under Anirudra Prasad Thakur’s leadership.
Nepal Tharu Association: A newly recognized fraternal organization, the Nepal Tharu Association received official recognition from the Nepali Congress Central Working Committee in Shrawan 2079 BS.
The current central ad hoc working committee is chaired by Shivnarayan Mahato Gura, with 98 members from Bibinan district nominated by President Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Nepal Democratic Sports Association: This is another new fraternal organization of the Congress, also recognized by the Central Working Committee in Shrawan 2079 BS. The central ad hoc working committee is chaired by Devendra Kumar Sherchan.
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