KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) leaders are increasingly eager for the 15th General Convention, despite the absence of a fixed date.
With the renewal and distribution of active memberships still pending, leaders are busy preparing for the event, vying for various positions within the party.
The Nepali Congress party has scheduled the renewal of active memberships to be completed by March, after which new active memberships will be distributed.
The goal is to finish the renewal process by mid-April.
While internal meetings and preparations have been taking place for months, the rush for the general convention became apparent on ‘Valentine’s Day’, when 11 leaders of the establishment side gathered in Budhanilkantha to discuss the candidate from their group for the presidency.
These leaders, many of whom had previously contested for the presidency in the last general convention, met with President Sher Bahadur Deuba to strategize for the upcoming election.
If President Deuba does not exercise his statutory power to extend the term by one year, the 15th general convention must take place by December 2025.
The group, led by Krishna Prasad Sitaula, the leader of the National Assembly Parliamentary Party, included prominent figures such as former vice president Bilendra Nidhi, Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh, and former general secretary Dr. Shashank Koirala.
They discussed the future presidential candidate from their faction.
Dr. Shekhar Koirala, a former presidential candidate from the establishment group, and General Secretary Gagan Thapa have already started preparations for the presidential race in the 15th General Convention.
Koirala has publicly declared his intention to run, while Thapa has not yet officially announced but is widely believed to be preparing for the position.
As the two leaders intensify their campaign, the establishment group has been holding factional meetings.
Dr. Koirala convened a meeting in Daudaha district, where he confirmed his candidacy for the presidency.
Meanwhile, Sitaula also held discussions with his close allies on the same day, concluding that the establishment-oriented political agenda will continue.
These developments reflect the increasing urgency among Congress leaders as they prepare for the 15th General Convention, despite the uncertainty surrounding the date.
The gathering was attended by former Minister Dr. Minendra Rijal, Joint General Secretary Jeevan Pariyar, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari, Central Members Sanjay Kumar Gautam, Sarita Prasai, and other leaders from the Koirala panel, who had filed for the position of General Secretary in the previous convention.
On the same day, establishment party leader Sitaula also called his close associates to his residence in Chandol to discuss preparations for the upcoming general convention.
The leaders in Sitaula’s camp concluded that the establishment party’s political activities would continue to move forward effectively.
The gathering included Central Members Shiva Prasad Humagain, Kundan Kafle (Minister of Bagmati Province), Koshi Province Minister Bhupendra Rai, and former Defense Minister Bhimsen Das Pradhan.
Additionally, Bagmati Province General Secretary Raju Shrestha, Gandaki Province MP Jit Sherchan, and Tarkeshwor Municipality Mayor Krishna Hari Maharjan were present at the gathering.
Focusing on the preparations for the 15th General Convention, former president of the Nepal Students’ Union (NSU), a sister organization of Nepali Congress, Ranji Karna, also organized a gathering of young leaders.
The two-day event saw Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary Kishore Singh Rathore, Central Member Govinda Bhattarai, former Minister of Koshi Province Ram Kumar Khatri, Subash Pokhrel, Mayor of Changunarayan Municipality Jeevan Khatri, Chairman of Bethanchok Rural Municipality Bhagwan Adhikari, and other notable figures in attendance.
When will the 15th General Convention be held?
The Nepali Congress statute mandates that the General Convention be held every four years, though the party President has the authority to extend the term by one year.
According to Article 43 of the party statute, the term of office for office bearers and members at all levels is four years.
However, in extraordinary circumstances, the Central Working Committee may extend the term by a maximum of one year, with valid reasoning.
The statute also allows for the calling of a special general convention before the scheduled time.
According to Article 17, a special central general convention can be convened within three months if deemed necessary by the Central Working Committee or if 40% of the central general convention members submit a written request with special reasons.
However, the number of 40 percent central members required for a special convention is insufficient for triggering a special general convention.
Despite playing a pivotal role in overthrowing the Panchayat regime and restoring democracy, the Nepali Congress has not consistently held its general convention on time or elected new leadership.
The Nepali Congress establishment side is in favor of extending the term as per the President’s authority under the statute to delay the 15th general convention.
Leaders claim that President Sher Bahadur Deuba expressed his intention to extend the convention period during the Budhanilkantha meeting.
Nepali Congress spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat also publicly stated that holding the 15th general convention on time is unlikely.
If President Deuba does not exercise his statutory power to extend the term by one year, the 15th general convention must take place by December 2025.
If held on time, the Nepali Congress will elect new leadership within the next 10 months.
However, it is rare for the Nepali Congress, a party with a 75-year political legacy, to hold a general convention and elect new leadership on schedule.
Despite playing a pivotal role in overthrowing the Panchayat regime and restoring democracy, the Nepali Congress has not consistently held its general convention on time or elected new leadership.
President Deuba, elected for a second term during the 14th general convention, has 10 months left to complete his four-year term.
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