KATHMANDU: As tensions rise within the Nepali Congress over the proposed special general convention, 25 central committee members met party President Sher Bahadur Deuba on Friday to express concern over the growing internal crisis.
The meeting came after General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma pushed ahead with preparations for a special convention, suspending the schedule of the regular 15th general convention. The faction loyal to Deuba argued that holding a special convention as planned could split the party.
During the meeting at Deuba’s residence in Maharajgunj, the visiting leaders emphasized that the special convention proposal advanced by Thapa and Sharma had put the party in a crisis. The general secretaries had just announced the suspension of the regular convention schedule and booked Bhrikutimandap Hall for January 11 and 12.
Among the 25 central members, leader Pushpa Bhusal warned that moving unilaterally toward a special convention could risk party unity. She urged that as the party’s guardian, Deuba has the primary responsibility to prevent such a split.
Meanwhile, 23 central members called for resolving disputes over active membership and holding ward-level conventions as soon as possible, instead of rushing into a special convention.
Proponents of the special convention, however, insist that “this is not a matter of choice between a regular and a special convention; it is a mandatory requirement under the party statute.” On October 15, 2025, 2,488 convention representatives had submitted a signed demand for a special convention, representing more than 54 percent of total delegates.
According to Clause 17(2) of the party statute, if more than 40 percent of representatives request it, a special general convention must be called. Supporters argue that although priority was initially given to the regular convention, procedural disputes and time constraints made it impossible to complete the process within January. “A special convention now remains the only legally valid option,” they said.
The general secretaries issued a joint statement on January 1, announcing the suspension of the regular convention and have already booked the venue. They said, “The special convention is a statutory provision. Blocking it would challenge party democracy. All representatives are free to participate, and even opponents can express their views.”
The Deuba faction, however, has continued to argue that a special convention could split the party. President Deuba has called a Central Executive Committee meeting for 3 pm on Friday and is consulting closely with allied leaders ahead of the meeting. Establishment leaders described the general secretaries’ move as an “unconstitutional attempt to overturn the Central Committee’s decision.” Co-General Secretary Mahendra Yadav clarified, “A unanimous decision of the Central Committee cannot be overturned by the president or general secretaries.”
The prolonged internal dispute has complicated Congress’s internal politics just weeks before general elections scheduled for March 5, leaving the party teetering on the edge of a potential split.
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