KATHMANDU: A seven-point proposal put forward by Nepali Congress (NC) leaders Gagan Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma to resolve internal party disputes and ensure a dignified 15th General Convention has been made public.
The proposal, which was initially submitted internally to then party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka on May 30, was released on June 14 after no response was received for 16 days. Titled “Let’s all grow together this way,” the proposal outlines a roadmap aimed at unifying the party in the aftermath of the special general convention.
It states that disputed issues could be presented as political agendas in the closed session of the 15th General Convention, taking into account the provisions of Article 17(2) of the party statute, updates from the Election Commission, and a Supreme Court decision.
The proposal also includes a significant reform suggestion that all Central Committee members should be elected representatives of the general convention, ending the longstanding practice of automatically including central leaders as convention representatives.
Main points of the 7-point amended proposal:
Commitment to unity: The party should move forward as a unified whole while acknowledging differences of opinion from various periods. No member should be treated differently based on participation or non-participation in the special general convention.
Active membership update: As the first step toward the 15th General Convention, the process of updating active membership will be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Respect for senior leaders: Senior leaders who have made long-standing contributions to the party will be given a respected role as “senior leaders” within the Central Committee.
Central Committee participation and responsibilities: Members outside the working committee who are willing to take responsibility will be given respectful opportunities to participate in performance-related committees. However, all Central Committee members must be elected representatives from the ward level.
Coordination in committees: Respectful participation and cooperation will be ensured in the Election Committee, Disciplinary Committee, and Active Membership Management Committee responsible for conducting the 15th General Convention.
General Convention Management Committee: A “15th General Convention Management Committee” will be formed from the Central Committee meeting itself, and will function as part of the Central Committee.
Fraternal and sister organizations: Party members interested in working in affiliated organizations will be assigned responsibilities such as president or office bearer based on their willingness and qualifications.
President Thapa and General Secretary Sharma have described this as a moderate and institutional proposal aimed at reducing polarization and internal bitterness that has grown within the party following the special general convention. The Gagan–Bishwa group stated that the proposal was made public due to a lack of response from the party leadership.
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