KATHMANDU: A special convention of the Nepali Congress called by General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, backed by 54 percent of party leaders, began in Kathmandu on Sunday with a strong show of numbers, putting intense pressure on party President Sher Bahadur Deuba to engage with the process.
By Sunday evening, 56.13 percent of the party’s general convention delegates had arrived in Kathmandu for the special convention, signaling significant momentum for the event. The unexpectedly large turnout has triggered a wave of behind-the-scenes negotiations within the Congress establishment over how to respond without pushing the party toward a split.
According to leaders close to Deuba, senior figures are urging him to attend the closed-door session of the convention, or at least send Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka, to acknowledge the strength of the delegates and find what they call a “safe landing” for the party.
“Presdient Deuba is deeply concerned after seeing the size of the gathering,” a senior establishment leader said. “The turnout of leaders and cadres has exceeded expectations. He is now looking for options to steer the party in the right direction. If a safe landing can be worked out, he may attend the closed session himself. Otherwise, he could even send the acting president.”
Following the massive gathering at Bhrikutimandap, establishment leaders, including Ramesh Lekhak, Prakash Sharan Mahat and Co-General Secretary Bhishma Raj Angdembe, met Deuba and urged him to respect the mandate of the delegates and help guide the party through a middle path.
They also met Acting President Khadka, advising him that the sentiments of thousands of leaders and cadres who have travelled to Kathmandu from across the country must be addressed through a moderate, compromise-based approach.
After receiving these suggestions, Deuba prepared to hold consultations on Monday morning with senior leaders, former office bearers and the two general secretaries.
At the same time, leaders, including Badri Pandey, were seen holding talks at Dr Shekhar Koirala’s residence, exploring possible middle-ground solutions. Deuba, meanwhile, is also preparing to invite Thapa and Sharma for talks.
“President Deuba, Acting President Khadka and other senior leaders are preparing to hold discussions with Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma,” a leader close to Thapa said. “We have advised the general secretaries to attend if invited and present their arguments in a logical and constructive way.”
Sources from both camps say informal talks are continuing to ensure that the delegates who have gathered in Kathmandu return home motivated rather than disillusioned.
“There will be a meeting with the general secretaries this morning to decide how to proceed,” a Congress leader said. “Even now, informal discussions are ongoing. Our goal is to ensure a smooth and safe landing. If we can take a middle path, even by sending only the acting president to the special convention, it will benefit the party.”
Within the establishment, there is a growing view that Deuba should attend the closed session, agree to certain procedural and policy adjustments, and move the party toward election-focused activities followed by a full general convention.
“We are consulting various party figures,” one of the convention organisers said. “They have advised us to meet Deuba and Acting President Khadka. We have also told the general secretaries to attend if Deuba calls a meeting.”
Co-General Secretary Bhishma Raj Angdembe, who has been advocating for a negotiated settlement, said a middle path is both possible and necessary.
“It is true that talks are underway on a moderate approach,” Angdembe said. “We must respect the sentiments of those who have come to the closed session, while also preparing for elections. We are trying to find a way that benefits both sides. The general secretaries and senior leaders are working to finalize a safe landing before the closed session begins.”
Due to the possibility of talks with Deuba and other senior leaders, the closed session scheduled for 8 am on Monday has been postponed to 10 am, and organizers say it could be delayed further depending on how negotiations progress.
Meanwhile, some Congress leaders say President Ram Chandra Paudel could be brought in if talks fail and the party faces the risk of division.
“If Deuba and Acting President Khadka do not engage and the process moves toward changing rules and even leadership, we are prepared to deploy President Ram Chandra Paudel to persuade the two general secretaries,” a senior Congress leader said. “He is not just the President; he is a longtime party figure who can speak to them both formally and informally. We are exploring all options to ensure the delegates’ sentiments are respected.”
Thapa and Ramesh Lekhak had also met Paudel a few days ago to discuss the party’s political situation.
Deuba not going to Bhrikutimandap
Amid speculation, Deuba’s secretariat has rejected social media claims that he would visit Bhrikutimandap to attend the special convention.
Aide Bhanu Deuba said there is no program for the party president to go to the venue.
“The secretariat has taken serious note of false information being spread that Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is going to Bhrikutimandap today,” the secretariat said. “We would like to make it clear that there is no schedule for the party president to attend that program.”
The special convention, called by Thapa and Sharma with the backing of 54 percent of party leaders, began in Kathmandu on Sunday and has already drawn 56.13 percent of all convention delegates from across the country.
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