NC President Deuba holding discussion with senior party leaders

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba is holding discussions with former office bearers close to him amid escalating disputes within the party over whether to convene a regular general convention or a special general convention.

According to party sources, the leaders participating in the meeting with Deuba include Bimalendra Nidhi, Prakash Man Singh, Gopal Man Shrestha, Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Dr. Shashank Koirala, and Prakash Sharan Mahat.

All seven leaders—often referred to as the “Seven Brothers” within the Nepali Congress—support holding a regular party convention but only after the upcoming election.

In contrast, leaders including General Secretary Gagan Thapa are pressuring the party to hold a special general convention, or at least expedite the regular one, arguing that new leadership is needed before the election.

So far, 54 percent of the party’s general convention delegates have submitted signatures demanding a special general convention. Party rules state that such a convention must be convened within 90 days of the submission of signatures.

However, the Seven Brothers faction is insisting on moving forward with a regular general convention and returning the signatures submitted in support of a special convention.