KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has shown flexibility in efforts to bring former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba back into the party’s organisational process.
Addressing the Central Working Committee meeting on Thursday, Thapa said he would continue to wait for Deuba until the final day.
Congress Vice President Pushpa Bhusal, briefing the media on Thapa’s remarks at the meeting, said the party president had expressed his willingness to wait until October 2 for Deuba to join.
“We want Deuba dai to come and inaugurate the general convention on the 16th. Without him, this general convention will not reflect unity. Therefore, the president has said that we will wait for him until the 16th. Let us all make efforts to bring Deuba dai here. Other leaders should also make efforts,” Bhusal told Khabarhub.
Quoting Thapa’s remarks at the meeting, she added, “It would be a matter of honour for us if the former party president comes and inaugurates the convention on the day of the general convention.”
Leaders urge dialogue
Leaders at the meeting urged Thapa to hold a direct dialogue with Deuba to help bring the party together.
According to a leader familiar with the discussion, Thapa is also not hesitant about meeting Deuba and discussing unresolved issues.
“Perhaps Sher Bahadur dai and Gaganji will sit together and resolve the outstanding issues soon. Many leaders have suggested this. Leaders ranging from the younger generation to senior figures have called on Gagan to show flexibility and meet Deuba dai for talks,” the leader said.
The leader added that the two leaders could meet as early as Thursday or Friday.
“Since around 90 percent of the leaders are expected to come together, dialogue between them is a natural step,” the leader said.
Congress leader Min Bishwakarma also said the two leaders could meet, noting Thapa’s flexibility in efforts to maintain party unity.
Former acting Congress president Purna Bahadur Khadka said there was no atmosphere of division between the two leaders and that efforts were being made to play a meaningful role in bringing the party together.
‘Ready to show more flexibility’
President Thapa told the meeting that he was prepared to show further flexibility to accommodate Deuba and other leaders.
He said unity could not be achieved if only one side was willing to compromise, stressing that both sides needed to show equal flexibility.
“There is already an understanding that some of you will make sacrifices and some of us will make sacrifices. I am still prepared to show whatever level of flexibility is required. But it cannot happen if only I am flexible; the other side must also be flexible,” Thapa said.
He also urged party members to ensure that Deuba and his supporters are treated with respect if they return.
“We have our respective colleagues, and this is our old home. Therefore, we will respect them when they come. No atmosphere should be created in which anyone is insulted or belittled when they return,” he said.
Bishwakarma, a leader from Deuba’s side, said they had not betrayed or disrespected the former party president and were continuing efforts to unite the party.
“We have not betrayed Deuba. He is our respected leader, and we respect him. We are continuously engaged in dialogue and discussions to unite the Congress. The party president has addressed some of our concerns and is making efforts to address others,” Bishwakarma told Khabarhub.
“We are confident that our respected leader will also join by the time of the general convention. Dialogue and discussions are continuing from various angles,” he added.
Vice President Bhusal also confirmed that the issue of having the two leaders hold a final dialogue was raised during Thursday’s Central Working Committee meeting.
‘Bringing the party together is my main agenda’
Congress leader Dr Shekhar Koirala said bringing the party together and maintaining its unity remained his main agenda.
Koirala said he was pleased to see leaders attending Thursday’s Central Working Committee meeting and that he had been holding discussions and consultations from various angles to bring all leaders together.
“We have repeatedly played a role in bringing the party together. We have made the sacrifices required and shown the necessary flexibility. We will participate only in a general convention of a united Congress. Otherwise, we will not. Therefore, we are trying to facilitate discussions from all sides. We will continue efforts to bring former president Sher Bahadur dai and other senior leaders to an integrated general convention,” Koirala told Khabarhub.
He added, “Many things are being worked out. Only one or two issues remain. Gaganji and Deuba dai will sit together and resolve those as well. We may also be involved in that process.”
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