KATHMANDU: Leaders aligned with former Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba have warned that the party could split if party president Gagan Thapa does not take the initiative to ensure unity.
The conclusion was reached during a gathering of leaders from the Deuba faction held in Dhumbarahi on Sunday under the leadership of former vice president Purna Bahadur Khadka.
Following the meeting, leader Min Bishwakarma said the responsibility to preserve party unity now rests on Thapa and the current executive committee after the Supreme Court of Nepal recognized Thapa’s leadership in the party’s legitimacy dispute.
He said the faction has decided to accept the court verdict despite having disagreements with several aspects of the ruling.
“Although we find several arguments in the Supreme Court’s decision contradictory, we have decided to respect the verdict. However, we must clearly express our serious disagreements,” Bishwakarma said.
He also noted that the Nepali Congress has reached one of its weakest phases in history following the March 5 election, stressing that strengthening the party is now a shared responsibility.
Bishwakarma added that the initiative for dialogue and unity should now come from Thapa and his team. “If there is delay, it could have serious consequences for the party,” he said, adding that the faction may also consider seeking a review of the court verdict if necessary.
According to him, disagreements have also emerged over the schedule for the party’s 15th general convention, with two separate proposals currently in discussion. While the Deuba faction has proposed holding it by the end of Baisakh, the Thapa faction has suggested Bhadra.
“If the two schedules are not reconciled, the party could end up holding two separate general conventions, which may ultimately lead to a split,” he warned.
Leaders present at the meeting also concluded that the party’s central office in Nepali Congress Central Office Sanepa should take concrete steps to facilitate unity within the party.
Comment