KATHMANDU: A fresh dispute has erupted within the Nepali Congress (NC) after General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma moved to fix the date of a special general convention. The party now faces a serious internal crisis, with one faction arguing that a special general convention cannot be held, while another insists it must go ahead.
The controversy intensified on Thursday after supporters of the special general convention were found to have booked a hall at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu for January 11 and 12. This development has deepened divisions within the party, from senior leaders to grassroots cadres, with leaders openly expressing opposing views.
NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba held discussions with party office-bearers on Friday morning. Meanwhile, supporters of the special general convention held a press conference, stating that there is no alternative but to convene a special convention.
General Secretary Gagan Thapa, who had gone to Dhulikhel on Thursday to work on documents related to the special general convention, returned to Kathmandu on Friday morning. He and General Secretary Sharma later held a meeting with around 30 central members close to them. According to participants, they emphasized that the special general convention would not elect a new leadership in a way that would split the party.
No special convention before elections: Deuba faction
Leaders close to Deuba argue that with the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, holding any form of general convention beforehand is impractical. Speaking to Khabarhub, party leader Min Bishwakarma said the move by the two general secretaries to push for a special convention goes against party policy.
“Some friends have started preparations for a special general convention on the grounds that a regular convention cannot be held. This contradicts the party’s decision,” he said. “Raising the issue of a special general convention while the 15th general convention process is still underway is both irrelevant and illegal.”
He warned that electing a different leadership through a special convention could divide the party. “It may be too early to say the party will split, but everything depends on the steps taken now,” he added. Similarly, party spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat said that the regular general convention would only be held after the March 5 elections.
Push for a special general convention
In contrast, leaders backing the special general convention argue that their demand is fully in line with the party statute and becomes necessary when a regular general convention cannot be held.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, they said, “The Nepali Congress has no option other than a special general convention. This is a constitutional right of general convention representatives, not a matter of personal preference.”
They also urged the party center to fulfill its responsibility to ensure the special general convention. On Thursday evening, General Secretaries Thapa and Sharma issued a joint statement announcing the postponement of the regular general convention and the decision to call a special general convention as an alternative.
“Under Article 17(2) of the party statute, it is the responsibility of the central office to address demands related to a special general convention,” the statement said, adding that efforts would be made to carry out the process through consensus as far as possible.
This has been widely interpreted as a signal that the general secretaries may proceed according to the statute if consensus is not reached.
Congress leader Shankar Tiwari, who supports Thapa, said the party president is equally bound to uphold the statute. Since a regular convention cannot be held, he argued, the aspirations of party cadres should be addressed through a special general convention.
However, Ramhari Khatiwada, another leader close to Thapa, cautioned against deepening divisions at a time when the party needs unity ahead of elections. “This is not the time for internal conflict,” Khatiwada said.
“The Congress must move forward with consensus. We have seen the consequences of ego-driven politics in the country. Divisions within the party will only weaken us when others are trying to stay united.” He added that all outstanding issues should be resolved through internal dialogue rather than public confrontation.
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