Deuba faction claims 885 NC convention delegates withdrew signatures backing Special General Convention

KATHMANDU: The faction of Nepali Congress led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba has claimed that 885 convention delegates have withdrawn their signatures that were earlier submitted in support of the party’s second Special General Convention.

Speaking to reporters after reaching the Election Commission on Friday, leaders Purna Bahadur Khadka and Shekhar Koirala said the delegates had formally distanced themselves from the Special Convention and submitted written notices withdrawing their support.

“Among the signatories and participants, 885 delegates have withdrawn their signatures. All signatories from Karnali have submitted documents addressed to the acting party president through the central office, with signatures verified by the chief secretary both before and after the convention,” Khadka said.

The claim comes a day after the Gagan Thapa–World Prakash Sharma faction, elected through the Special General Convention held from January 11 to 14, submitted an application to the Election Commission seeking official recognition and updating of the new central committee.

On Friday morning, Deuba-aligned central committee members staged a sit-in at the Election Commission, pressing their claim for party legitimacy. Acting party president Purna Bahadur Khadka, along with Dhanraj Gurung, Bimalendra Nidhi, Ramesh Rizal, Shyam Ghimire, Kalyan Gurung, Jit Jung Basnet, and other leaders, were present at Kantipath.

Khadka submitted documents and evidence to Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, asserting that the Special General Convention did not retain the support of the required number of delegates.

Following the election of Gagan Thapa as party president through the Special Convention, both factions have intensified efforts at the Election Commission, each staking claim to the party’s official status.

With both sides submitting applications and evidence, pressure has mounted on the Election Commission to decide on the legitimacy and official recognition of the Nepali Congress leadership, a decision that carries significant implications ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives election.