KATHMANDU: Supporters of the Nepali Congress Special General Convention elected a new leadership on Wednesday, with Gagan Thapa chosen as party president, Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Pushpa Bhusal as vice-presidents, and Pradeep Paudel and Gururaj Ghimire as general secretaries.
The development followed the formation of a new Central Working Committee by Thapa and Sharma, both of whom had earlier been subjected to five-year disciplinary action by the party establishment led by Sher Bahadur Deuba. This move has triggered claims that the party has formally split.
Vice-President Pushpa Bhusal, however, rejects that assertion. She insists the Nepali Congress remains united and that the Central Working Committee formed by the Special General Convention is the party’s only legitimate authority. She says all legal and procedural requirements will be completed and the party will be updated at the Election Commission accordingly.
In an interview with Khabarhub, Bhusal defended the convention, the new leadership, and the legal basis for the changes.
EXCERPTS:
Has the Nepali Congress officially split?
No. The Nepali Congress has not split at all. A party that follows its statute cannot be described as split. To say the party has split would mean misinterpreting the statute itself.
Who is the official president of the Nepali Congress?
Gagan Thapa is the official president of the Nepali Congress. He was elected by 56 percent of the general convention delegates. Whoever completes the Special General Convention in accordance with the statute becomes the party president, and that is now Gagan Thapa.
The convention was conducted in line with the constitution, the law, and the party statute. Therefore, there is no question of a “main party” and another faction.
What gives the Special General Convention this authority?
The general convention is the highest body of the party. It creates the Central Working Committee and it also has the power to dissolve it and form a new one.
We selected a new Central Working Committee on solid legal and procedural grounds. There is no basis to portray this as a split or a rupture, because we have not violated either the statute or the law.
Then what is the status of Sher Bahadur Deuba and other senior leaders?
They will be given a respected position. We have said this from the beginning.
You elected Gagan Thapa as president, but some leaders have rejected it. Hasn’t that created a serious dispute?
The party has neither split nor fallen into dispute. This convention was called by 56 percent of the delegates. This is not a conflict—it is about moving forward through reconciliation.
A Special General Convention is not called by the Central Committee but by the delegates themselves. This is also the first real implementation of the party statute.
The statute allows 40 percent of delegates to call a convention and more than 50 percent to make binding decisions. Because the statute requires the convention to be held within three months, the Central Committee cannot stand above it. The convention can even reject decisions made by the Central Committee.
Does the General Convention really outrank the Central Committee?
Yes. The general convention stands above the Central Committee. More than 50 percent of delegates decided to dissolve the previous Central Working Committee, form a new one, and set new policy directions. These decisions are legally, constitutionally, and procedurally valid and must be respected.
You have been subjected to disciplinary action and barred from the party office. How do you see that?
This is no longer merely an internal party dispute—it has entered the domain of state institutions. Once the Central Working Committee has been dissolved by the general convention, claims of meetings and decisions made elsewhere have no legal standing.
Political differences can be debated, but legally this process is sound. Our political culture is to move forward by respecting the law.
From a legal standpoint, do you see any flaw in this process?
None at all. We have acted fully within the constitution and the party statute. If others choose to ignore those provisions and proceed in their own way, that is their problem.
When will you go to the Election Commission?
Very soon. We will register and submit all necessary records through the regular legal process. We will inform the Commission and proceed strictly according to established procedures.
What do you say to those who claim the convention is illegal and that they are the real Nepali Congress?
This convention was held strictly according to the statute. It should not be dragged into artificial complications. A new Central Working Committee has been formed lawfully, so it cannot be described as either illegal or a split. Now everyone must be taken along together.
What are you preparing for now?
We are preparing for elections and a broad post-convention meeting. Everything is moving forward in accordance with the procedures that must be registered with the Election Commission. There is no reason to turn this into a controversy.
How do you see Sher Bahadur Deuba and other top leaders now?
We have goodwill and respect for them. They will continue to serve as guardians of the party. They have made immense contributions to democracy and political change in Nepal, and we will uphold a tradition of respecting them as senior patrons of the party.
What should leaders who oppose the Special General Convention do now?
They should guide us forward as strong guardians and mentors. Our goal is to unite all democrats within the Nepali Congress, strengthen the organisation, and energise our workers with the trust and confidence of the people. We expect the previous leadership to support us with that spirit.
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