KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who had maintained a strong hold over the central committee after the 14th general convention, is now facing unprecedented pressure as the party’s second special general convention progresses.
With more than 70 percent of the central committee previously aligned with him, Deuba’s authority was unexpectedly challenged by General Secretaries Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Gagan Kumar Thapa, who pushed forward the election process at the convention.
Deuba, now 80 and recovering from serious injuries sustained during the Gen-Z movement on September 8 and 9, had temporarily delegated his responsibilities to Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka. Following the movement, the central committee convened a 49-day-long meeting, concluding on December 1 and setting the stage for the 15th general convention from January 10. However, when regular convention prospects failed, the General Secretaries announced the special convention starting January 11.
Despite Deuba’s efforts to halt the process by engaging Acting President Khadka and leader Shekhar Koirala, the special convention began as scheduled. Contrary to the Deuba faction’s expectations, 63 percent of delegates attended the Bhrikuti Mandap convention, as confirmed by media coordinator Subash Pokhrel on Monday evening.
The Deuba camp now faces pressure over potential party division. Bishwprakash Sharma and Gagan Kumar Thapa have set strict conditions for consensus, including that Deuba resign from the party presidency. If he refuses, he must formally announce his withdrawal from active politics. As a final option, they have stipulated that Deuba should refrain from signing candidacy approvals for the upcoming elections. Should he not comply, the special convention is prepared to move forward and elect a new central committee.
During the first phase of tripartite talks on Tuesday morning, no agreement was reached. Meanwhile, dozens of Deuba-aligned leaders gathered at his residence in Maharajgunj, where Acting President Khadka addressed them. In images released from the residence, Deuba and the attending leaders appeared tense and serious.
Senior leaders present included Dr. Shashank Koirala, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Nain Singh Mahar, Rajiv Bikram Shah, Ramhari Khatiwada, Deepak Khadka, Prakash Man Singh, Meen Bishwakarma, and Kishor Singh Rathore.
The special convention’s outcome will be pivotal in determining whether Deuba retains his legitimacy or if the party moves toward a new central leadership, highlighting a critical juncture in Nepali Congress politics.
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