KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress is preparing to set a date for its 15th regular general convention amid growing internal challenges following its recent election defeat.
A meeting of the party’s central working committee scheduled for Tuesday afternoon is likely to decide on holding the 15th general convention in the Nepali month of Bhadra.
Party President Gagan Thapa, who had resigned from the post last Wednesday, will attend the meeting. The central working committee had already rejected his resignation on Sunday, allowing him to continue leading the party.
Following the rejection of his resignation, Thapa is set to participate in Tuesday’s meeting as party president. The meeting, which he will attend, will discuss the schedule and preparations for the upcoming general convention.
Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma had chaired the party meetings held on Friday and Sunday in Thapa’s absence. Tuesday’s meeting is expected to move forward discussions on the convention schedule under Thapa’s leadership.
According to a central committee member, the party is planning to complete the conventions of lower-level committees before the monsoon after resolving disputes related to active membership.
Under the proposed plan, the 15th general convention may be held in the third week of Bhadra, with the opening ceremony likely to take place on Bhadra 24, the birth anniversary of party founder Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala.
The party had earlier decided to hold the convention in the Nepali month of Poush, but the plan could not be implemented, leading to internal disputes.
Amid these disagreements, a special convention was organized in the last week of Poush by the faction close to Thapa following a petition submitted by a majority of convention delegates in October. That convention sidelined a section of party leaders, including former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and leader Shekhar Koirala.
However, internal divisions within the party and the growing influence of the Rastriya Swatantra Party contributed to the poor performance of traditional parties in the March 5 election, in which both Thapa and KP Sharma Oli were defeated.
Following the defeat, leaders close to Deuba have again begun increasing pressure within the party, pushing for the regular general convention, prompting the party establishment to move toward announcing its date.
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