KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress former president Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed confidence that his faction will receive justice after the Supreme Court granted permission to review its decision recognising Gagan Thapa as the party president following a special general convention.
Addressing an interaction organised by the Nepali Congress Bhaktapur on Wednesday to mark the 133rd birth anniversary of BP Koirala, Deuba claimed that delegates had not been properly verified when the special general convention was convened.
Deuba said the party statute allows for a special general convention but argued that it must be called by the party through a proper process. Recalling the first special convention held during Subarna Shumsher Rana’s tenure as party president, he said delegates at the time were fully verified before being allowed to participate.
He alleged that the same procedure was not followed during the latest special convention despite his insistence that the delegates be verified.
“Gagan Thapa said the second special general convention had to be called. I said there is a provision and authority to call a special convention, but those participating must first be verified. We need the names of the delegates, including which district, constituency and rural municipality they represent. Can a convention be held without verification?” Deuba said.
Deuba also alleged that the special convention was called without informing him while he was still the party president.
“I had asked for verification first. Is the delegate genuine? Is that person a party member? Names were simply taken from people’s pockets and entered as special convention delegates. That is how Gagan called the special convention,” he said.
Deuba said he had filed a case against the special convention at the Election Commission before approaching the Supreme Court. He claimed that he had heard that Election Commission Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari had made election-related decisions citing a threat to his life.
He said the Supreme Court did not intervene immediately on the grounds that the election had already been completed, but his side subsequently filed a review petition.
Deuba said the Supreme Court’s decision to grant permission for a review against the recognition of Gagan Thapa as Nepali Congress president was a major success for his side.
“After the court granted permission for review, we have already achieved more than half a victory,” he said.
He alleged that efforts were still underway to prevent his faction from securing official recognition of the Nepali Congress through the review process. However, he said his side would not back down under any circumstances.
Deuba also said he had full confidence in the Supreme Court, recalling that the judiciary had delivered justice to them even during the Panchayat era and that the Supreme Court had protected him during the rule of King Gyanendra Shah.
“That is why I have faith in the Supreme Court. I believe the Supreme Court will deliver justice to me,” he said.
Deuba expressed confidence that his faction would ultimately retain the Nepali Congress’ tree election symbol and four-star flag.
“I have faith in the Supreme Court. No matter how much they run around or make efforts, I trust the Supreme Court. Just as the court fairly granted us permission for review, I believe we will get the Nepali Congress’ tree symbol and four-star flag. I believe that no matter what they do, the Supreme Court will deliver justice,” he said.
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