KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) is set to begin its special general convention from Sunday, January 11, amid opposition from the party’s establishment faction. The convention, called by supporters of the special general convention, will run today and tomorrow and will be inaugurated at 1:00 pm on Sunday at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu.
A stage has been constructed in the open area of Bhrikutimandap to accommodate around 50 guests for the inaugural session, while more than 6,000 chairs have been arranged in front of the stage, according to Govinda Pudasaini, coordinator of the stage management committee.
He said the venue has been decorated with Nepali Congress flags, gates, banners, and promotional materials. Preparations have also been made to systematically manage rallies arriving from different parts of the Kathmandu Valley on inauguration day.
The special general convention will be chaired by Nepali Congress Kathmandu President Krishna Sabuj Baniya. Leaders of other political parties have not been invited to the event. Organizers said that most delegates from across the country have already arrived in Kathmandu, with others continuing to arrive.
According to Ramesh Dhamala, coordinator of the accommodation and food management committee, lodging has been arranged for 3,600 delegates at various locations in Kathmandu, with provisions in place to accommodate an additional 200 delegates if required.
Meanwhile, the party’s establishment faction has questioned the necessity of a special general convention, arguing that its justification ended after the date of the 15th regular general convention was finalized. Despite this, five leaders, including General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma, have expressed dissent.
Food and breakfast arrangements have been made at the venue. Delegates will receive a bag and food coupon after paying a participation fee of Rs 1,000. Following the inauguration, the closed session will be held at the Bhrikutimandap assembly hall. However, details of the policy documents to be discussed during the closed session have not yet been made public.
Meanwhile, the party’s establishment faction has questioned the necessity of a special general convention, arguing that its justification ended after the date of the 15th regular general convention was finalized. Despite this, five leaders, including General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma, have expressed dissent.
The establishment faction maintains that preparations for the distribution and renewal of active party memberships remain incomplete and that, with the general election scheduled for March 5, it would be more appropriate to hold the party’s general convention after the election. It has also emphasized that only the Central Working Committee has the authority to call a general or special general convention.
In a statement, Chief Secretary of the Nepali Congress Central Office Krishna Prasad Poudel urged party leaders and workers not to engage in activities organized in the name of a convention or special general convention called individually by office bearers or members, stating that such actions would be contrary to the party statute.
Conversely, General Secretaries Thapa and Sharma have appealed to representatives to participate in the special general convention, citing Article 17(2) of the party statute, which mandates the convening of a special general convention within three months of a formal request.
In a joint statement, they said the petition submitted by general convention delegates emphasized the need to strengthen the party amid changing political circumstances, align policies with public sentiment, and make special decisions for party restructuring through renewed leadership.
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